About Hope Clinic
Special thanks to Chuck Forrest of Forrest Farm Supply for use of his photograph of Oriental Harbor.
Hear from several of our patients in the video. Not every story is dire, but almost every story is life threatening were it not for your generosity and Hope Clinic.
We believe everyone deserves access to medical care.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide free medical care to low-income uninsured and underinsured adults in Pamlico County and surrounding communities.
Our Story
Hope Clinic is a private, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides free medical care to those in need in Pamlico County and surrounding communities. Many of our families, friends, and neighbors struggle every day between paying their rent or utilities, or accessing medical care. Without Hope Clinic, those in need must rely on emergency rescue services or the emergency room.
Hope Clinic is able to accomplish our medical mission with a volunteer Board of Directors, 1 full-time executive director, 7 part-time staff members, and more than 60 volunteers. Many of these passionate volunteers serve as doctors, nurses, lab technicians, therapists, and advocates on clinic night.
For more information about getting involved, please give us a call or email our director here.
If you are interested in becoming a patient of Hope Clinic, please call (252) 745-5760.
Beginnings
Hope Clinic began in 1998 as an outreach ministry of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Oriental, North Carolina by a group of passionate volunteers. The vision immediately captured the imagination and support of the community, and has been a vital part of the Pamlico County region since it opened its doors on February 4th, 1999. In 2004, Hope Clinic became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
The Need
The need for free medical care in Eastern North Carolina is great. Many of our neighbors might be described as the working poor, who have little or no access to health insurance. The county is medically underserved and many of the county’s 13,000 residents suffer from chronic illnesses, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma. These individuals need regular healthcare monitoring, medications, and education to be able to work and care for their families. Many families are at a much higher risk for mental illness and depression, family violence and abuse, addiction abuse, and trouble holding down a job. The stress of living with a lower income takes an enormous toll on at-risk families, adults, and children.
Moving Forward
Many of our patients suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, while some even struggle with opioid or alcohol addiction. It is our goal to improve or stabilize those patients, and teach them how best to manage their own conditions and achieve their best quality of life. We want to assure our patients that we will be here for them in the future – that they will not have to choose between feeding their families and getting necessary medical treatment or medications. We want to provide for other unmet needs in Eastern North Carolina, as well, including increasing access to our services, mental health, and transportation. We want to see visits to the local hospital emergency room continue to decrease and more lives saved, while our patients continue to be pleased with the care they receive at Hope Clinic. We want to empower our patients by teaching them about their diseases so they can actively participate in managing their illnesses and achieve their best health.
