About Hope Clinic
Our Mission
Hope Clinic’s vision is to bring health and hope to our patients in need by providing free primary medical care, laboratory testing, prescription medications, case management, referrals to specialists for treatment and/or diagnostic testing, mobile outreach services, and substance use treatment and support to those with lower income who aren’t eligible for Medicaid, can’t afford subsidized health care plans, or are underinsured (having limited medical or extremely high deductible insurance plans)
Who We Are
Hope Clinic is a private, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies on community and volunteer support to achieve it's mission of providing free medical care to those in need in Pamlico County and surrounding communities.
We serve low-income uninsured and underinsured individuals, between the ages of 18-64, who aren’t eligible for Medicaid, and can’t afford subsidized health care plans. These are the people who have "fallen through the cracks" of today's healthcare system.
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, pharmacists, lab technicians, and advocates.
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.
Our 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 the Pamlico County Health Department. In 2004, Hope Clinic became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
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Over the years the clinic has evolved from a walk-in clinic with no appointments needed and long wait times for the patients to be seen to the present clinic. The current clinic has scheduled appointments and patients receive their prescriptions the next day.
The Need
From the 2023 Pamlico County Community Foundation's Community Needs Assessment the following is known about the county: Pamlico County has a population of 12,000. An estimated 13.2% of the adult population does not have health insurance compared to the NC state level of 12.7%. Our case manager can further assess the links needed to reach out to our community to have these residents seek the care that they so deserve without the attached stigmatism of attending a free clinic. County residents also experience transportation issues as the county does not have a bus nor taxi service. Patients often depend on family members or a friend to transport them to our clinic appointments as well as to referrals for specialty care.
Moving Forward
Over the last 5 years, we have expanded our focus to include a whole-health approach of improving the lives of our patients. In addition to our free Bayboro clinics, and providing our patients with access to medications, specialists, lab work and imaging. With the help of our generous supporters we were are able to:
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Start and operate Mobile Outreach Clinics twice a month, which helps solve one of the largest hurdles to getting health care – the lack of reliable transportation. These mobile clinics are game changers for our patients, especially in outlying communities, allowing us to better manage chronic illnesses like diabetes or hypertension.
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Create partnerships with various charitable and educational organizations to provide programs that focus on healthy eating, mental health, substance use recovery, and overcome other barriers to healthy living such as inadequate housing and food insecurity.
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Hire a dedicated case manager who is focused on whole-person approaches to healthcare by better understanding life-style choices and roadblocks to better care. The case manager helps connect those with substance use disorders to recovery support resources.
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Most recently, start a Workplace Outreach Wellness (WOW) program to reach qualifying employees of small businesses in our area without access to employer-provided health care programs.
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After 25 years of operating within the Pamlico County Health Department, we will locate to ound our own facility in Bayboro on NC Hwy 55 in January of 2025, giving us the space we need to further expand our hours and services. This new facility will have four exam rooms, a lab area, and an expanded pharmacy. There will be space for rotating specialty providers such as dentists, podiatrists, dermatologists, and more. There is also be a meeting room that will be used for health education, training, and group recovery meetings.
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