Coastal Volunteers in Medicine Clinic Now Open

Coastal Volunteers in Medicine (Coastal VIM), a non-profit, free medical clinic for uninsured people with an income below 250% of the federal poverty level who live in southern Ocean County, NJ, is now taking appointments.

Coastal VIM provides free, routine, non-emergency medical services to individuals. It is run completely by volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, therapists, nurses, and administrative assistants.

While about 50 million nationally remain uninsured, CVIM is focused on improving the quality of life by extending medical care to qualified residents of Barnegat, Barnegat Light, Chatsworth, Eagleswood/West Creek, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach Island, Manahawkin, New Gretna, Tuckerton and Waretown.

Fourteen percent of the population in Southern Ocean County towns are without medical insurance. CVIM wil serve those 12 to 64 years old who are under 250% of the national poverty level, according to Sonia Rich Mazzeo, a registered nurse who is helping to set up the clinic.

CVIM is modeled after Volunteers in Medicine, the only national nonprofit dedicated to assisting communities with the development of free health care clinics for the uninsured.

In 19 years, Volunteers in Medicine has helped to open 90 clinics throughout our country.

The escalating cost of health insurance and medical care, cutbacks in Medicaid and a decrease in the number of physicians choosing primary care are just a few of the contributing factors that these clinics are opening across the country, Mazzeo said. 

The clinic is located at King of Kings Community Church, in Manahawkin.  The clinic has no religious affiliation. 

Open hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm.  Appointments are required.