Powell's clinic running under budget, sees up to 20 patients each TuesdayA weekly evening free clinic could open its doors in Cody as early as next spring if progress toward bringing a branch of the Heart Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic to Cody keeps pace, Dr. Stephen Mainini said.A Cody clinic branch would mirror the Powell organization, but would take place on Thursday nights, while the Powell Clinic operates on Tuesday evenings.

“Dr. Bo Johnson has graciously offered his office as a place to temporarily begin the (Cody) clinic,” and organizers are looking for a suitable building to house the clinic permanently, Mainini said.

In addition, West Park Hospital has offered free blood work and X-rays, similar to the arrangement between Powell Valley Hospital and the Heart Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic in Powell.

The Powell clinic began operating in July 2008, the result a community-wide project spearheaded by Dr. Nicholas Morris and his wife, Madelyn. It provides free outpatient, non-emergency, acute and chronic primary medical care to Big Horn Basin residents whose gross income is at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, who are uninsured and who do not qualify for any other health care programs.

Mainini said about 26 percent of Park County residents earn 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or less, while 21 percent have no health insurance.

Dr. Morris and Powell clinic Director JoAnn Cozzens are serving on the 16-member committee working to organize the free clinic in Cody.

Cozzens said the Cody clinic would be an extension of Heart Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic, based in Powell. It would operate under the same 501(c)3 nonprofit license, eliminating the need for Cody clinic organizers to apply for a new one and simplifying the process for creating the clinic.

Cozzens said she and Lynn Whitmore, Heart Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic board treasurer, are doing the financial work for both clinics.

Morris said Cozzens will direct both clinics as well.

As envisioned, Morris said Heart Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic will be the parent organization, and major grants will help operate clinics in both cities.

“Each would be a mirror of the other,” he said.

Individual donors will be able to specify what they want their donations to go toward, he added.

Morris said people in Cody are working very hard to raise money to open the new clinic.

Meanwhile, Morris said the Powell clinic finished its first year $49,000 under budget through frugal use of donations and resources.

“We're pretty lucky that we're able to so far have a smaller budget than other clinics that serve close to the same number of patients,” he said. “Part of that is because Powell hospital has been so kind to us.”

In addition, Morris said Cozzens has helped patients get on patient assistance programs through drug companies, which provide free or reduced-price prescriptions.

“She helps get patients on that program as quickly as possible, so our drug costs are much lower than other clinics,” he said.

In the nearly 16 months since its inception, the Powell clinic has served close to 700 patients, he said.

Cozzens said clinic volunteers now see between 17 and 20 patients each Tuesday evening.

“I'm pushing to go possibly up to ... 25,” she said. “We've got it tweaked to where we can have such a great flow. As long as the flow is there and it's working smoothly, we can do it.”

Cozzens said the clinic has served patients from as far away as Worland, as well as most other Big Horn Basin towns.

“Some of those people are from Cody,” she added. “Cowley, Frannie, Deaver, Lovell — we're seeing them all.

“One of the things that is so important to know is that this clinic, as well as the Cody clinic, is here to serve the Big Horn Basin. It's for all of these towns, it's not just for one.”

Still, “the majority of the people we see here in Powell are Powell patients,” she said.

“We're in a fund drive now, trying to reach previous and potential donors,” Morris said. “We'd like to expand services and expand eligibility ... I think once we get the Cody branch in, we'll look at how we could do another night here and perhaps loosen up eligibility guidelines to get more people in.”

Mainini said he is impressed with the generosity of the community as organizers work to open a free clinic in Cody.

“We appreciate the response we've had for volunteers and the support of our local churches,” Mainini said. “People don't need medical training to have a servant's heart, and I have no doubt that we'll be able to utilize the skills of everyone who wants to volunteer.

“Our commission to extend the love of Christ to those in need in our community goes beyond the immediate medical need and into many aspects of the lives of the people we are here to serve.”

More information

Two fundraisers currently are under way to help open a Heart Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic in Cody.

Lorraine Lamb of The Golden Buffalo is donating a $5,000 pendant called “Spirit of Hope” as a “share the gift” drawing, the proceeds of which will benefit the clinic.

In addition, the Bar J Wranglers will perform a community benefit concert Jan. 7, with proceeds going to the clinic as well as Cody youth.

For more information about the Heart Mountain Volunteer Medical Clinic in Powell or the effort to establish one in Cody, call 754-1142 or visit www.hmvmc.org.