ACH YEAR on March 30 National Doctor’s Day is observed to celebrate the contribution of physicians to the lives they impact in their communities. On behalf of the Board of Directors and patients of the Free Clinic of Rome, I would like to offer a public thanks to the following physicians for the contribution of their time made to the Free Clinic of Rome over the past year:

Dr. Pat Adams, Dr. Leigh Barrell, Dr. Billy Burk, Dr. Bill Conner, Dr. Tim Connor, Dr. Darrell Dean Dr. Steve Finn, Dr. Buford Harbin Dr. Kevin Hardwell, Dr. Stanley Hoy Dr. Cline Jackson, Dr. Ed Malcom Dr. Edward Meier, Dr. Frank Stegall Dr. Randy Sumner, Dr. Mel Thomas Dr. Bob Williams, Dr. Cindy Shumpert Dr. Julie Barnes, Dr. Joe Mangraviti Dr. Leonard Reeves, Dr. Kishor Sadaria Dr. Ted Pennell, Dr. Denise Crawley Dr. Nadia Meyer, Dr. Melissa Kehl Dr. Steve Pruett, Dr. Paul Ferguson and Dr. Earl Barton

These physicians have given of their time to provide medical care to Free Clinic patients — patients who have no insurance and very little income; patients who do not have the ability to pay for medical care and who would not be able to see a physician if not for the willingness of these doctors to volunteer their time. Quite often these volunteering physicians come straight from the hospital or their private practice office (where they have already put in a long day of work) to continue seeing patients at the clinic for several additional hours in the evening.

Volunteers are the “life-blood” of the Free Clinic. Through the coordinated effort of volunteer physicians, nurses, and clerical volunteers the clinic staffed 3,000 medical visits in 2011.

A special “thank you” goes out today to these doctors that honor their profession and their community by giving of their time and talents to the Free Clinic of Rome. Happy Doctor’s Day!