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
Hope Clinic provides free health care in Pamlico County primarily for low income, uninsured adults.
Vision
The people that we serve will live long, healthy lives.
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. More than 20% of our families, friends, and neighbors live in poverty. They struggle every day between paying their rent or utilities, or accessing medical care. The stress level of living in poverty is something most of us cannot imagine, but for these folks, it's become their "normal."
Living in poverty is linked to anger, family violence and abuse, substance abuse, poor health, and mental illness. It is a constant pain that removes a person's ability to hope and dream. Without Hope Clinic, those in need must rely on rescue squads, the emergency room, and even law enforcement for intervention. We can do better!
Hope Clinic is able to accomplish our medical mission with a volunteer Board of Directors, 1 part-time executive director, 7 part-time staff members, and more than 100 volunteers. More than 24 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. The average weekly wage is $424, while the state average is $651. 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, ranking 91st out of 100 counties in North Carolina, with no acute care facility. Forty-one percent 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. Along with poverty, our families are at a much higher risk for mental illness and depression, family violence and abuse, substance abuse, and trouble holding down a job. The stress of living with poverty takes an enormous toll on at-risk families, adults, and children. The cycle, if not broken, is handed down to the next generation, creating a community overwhelmed by teenage pregnancy, suicide, substance abuse, dating violence, poverty, poor health, and other avoidable and negative life consequences.
Moving Forward
Most 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.
