Macon Volunteer Clinic opens new downtown location, expands services

"We want them to come here and feel appreciated, cared for, and loved,” said John McCard, Executive Director of Macon Volunteer Clinic.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – After 22 years, Macon Volunteer Clinic has a new home in downtown Macon.

The clinic celebrated its grand opening on Friday, allowing attendees to tour the new 11,000-square-foot, two-story facility at 770 Walnut Street.

According to a news release, the building was fully funded through grants from various community organizations, foundations and private donations. The clinic’s $2.5 million capital campaign goal was reached in January, allowing the new facility to expand services to eight additional counties in the Department of Public Health (DPH) North Central Health District.

The building will offer primary healthcare, dental services, eye care and mental health counseling, as well as space for community health classes.

John McCard, Executive Director of Macon Volunteer Clinic, said the new building was constructed by Stroud and Company, with interior design by Camp Interiors. The project was also made possible through a generous $1-per-year lease agreement with Mulberry Street United Methodist Church for the next 30 years. McCard also acknowledged the support of several community foundations, including a large grant from The Peyton Anderson Foundation, gifts from the Metters Foundation and contributions from individual donors.

“This is a brand-new, state-of-the-art healthcare facility for all working men and women in the surrounding Middle Georgia area who are unable to afford the high cost of health insurance,” said McCard.

“Over $2 million was contributed from our community to make this possible, and it’s a great blessing that we’ll be able to take care of more people in a larger space—an area that really makes them feel welcome, that they are worthy of dignity and respect,” McCard added. “That’s why our primary mission is to continue to emphasize the importance of people—caring for those who serve our community, often in unseen, low-wage jobs. We want them to come here and feel appreciated, cared for, and loved.”

“‘To know that one life has breathed easier because you lived—this is to have succeeded’,” he continued. “It’s a quote that’s been in our waiting room for the past 22 years, and it embodies the spirit of our founders, Dr. Chapin, Henley, and others who came together in our medical community to ensure that those in need of healthcare services had access to it for free of charge.”

“Our group of volunteers is made up of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and students from Mercer and other surrounding colleges who give their time and talents to be here, to volunteer, and to provide services to people in need,” he added. “We’re always in need of healthcare providers in different specialties. We have some wonderful doctors who give their time, but we always need more. The more doctors, nurses, and practitioners we have, the more services we can provide.”

Dr. Samer Othman, a local dentist, longtime volunteer and former board member of nine years, says his journey with Macon Volunteer Clinic began in 2008.

“I was getting my master’s in public health,” Othman said. “My father, who was a physician in town, knew people at the volunteer clinic very well, and he helped me land an internship here over the summer to do my thesis. So I came to the volunteer clinic and built a smoking cessation program here. I got close with the people at the clinic—Dr. Lynn Denny and Dr. Valerie, who were over the clinic at the time—got me involved. Throughout my time in dental school, I kept coming back every summer to volunteer, answering phones, taking in patients, and then when I graduated dental school, I helped them start their full-service dental clinic.”

“Oh, it’s awesome, man. Our dental clinic—it’s about four times as big as what we had. One of our dental chairs was in a closet in the old clinic—a true closet—and we just made do, so this full-size dental clinic is going to make such a difference. It’s going to help us serve as many people as possible and really impact the community.”

“Macon Volunteer Clinic is kind of a hidden gem in Macon,” Othman added. “It serves more of the population than people realize and has a bigger impact than people think. You can find the numbers on our website. We actually make a massive financial impact on the community by keeping people healthy, keeping people at work, and keeping people out of the hospital when they don’t have insurance and can’t afford to pay.”

Macon Volunteer Clinic was previously located at 376 Rogers Avenue. Its new location will serve adults ages 18-64.

For more information about the clinic, visit maconvolunteerclinic.org.