Free Medical Clinic’s Doctor’s Lounge prescribes great time

By Tecla Markosky

The bustling bar-lined streets of the Vista were no match for the rifts and bass tones flowing out of the Columbia Convention Center when the Free Medical Clinic’s annual fundraiser, Doctor’s Lounge, drew a crowd of over 500 for a night of fun, fundraising and rock and roll recently.

The performers, doctors from around Columbia joined together not only to "raise the roof" but also money and awareness for the Free Medical Clinic.

The event showcased donated talent from a variety of genres. From bluegrass to Broadway, the Doctor’s Lounge proved that doctors around Columbia have talent beyond the examining room. The evening’s performers included Dr. John Carnes from the SC Neurological Clinic, piano; Dr. Richard Davis of the USC School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology, vocals; Dr. Tom Edmunds of Capital Urology, guitar and vocals; Dr. Joey Evans of Chapin Family Practice, banjo and electric bass; Dr. Timothy D. Malone of Columbia Psychiatric Associates, guitar; Dr. Brooks Mays of the USC School of Medicine, division of endocrinology, guitar; Dr. Stacy L. Smithson of Lake Murray OB/GYN, piano and vocals.

Physician band Public Storage

"We’re looking for way increase admission to the clinic. Every day, we turn people away. Tonight we wanted to bring awareness to the Free Medical Clinic," Pierre Barakat, treasurer of the Free Medical Clinic said.

"We really believe in our purpose but I don’t think the community understands what we do. If you don’t have Medicare, Medicaid or third party insurance and your income is at or less than 33% of the federal poverty level, you are welcome at the clinic," Barakat said. Barakat explained that a lot of residents of Columbia qualify for care.

"Patients come regardless of age, race and creed -- our doors are open. But our resources are limited," Barakat said. "We don’t have enough staff, medical doctors or medication. We are doing this event tonight for a financial influx to gain operating cash flow."

Audience member Shelby Rials, a nurse practitioner at the Columbia VA hospital, said she came to the event to support the continuation of The Free Medical Clinic.

"I have a family member who uses their services and I used to work for the Health Department. I know how important preventative treatment is. If we can treat the problem from the start we will avoid a larger problem later on. The human body is a full cycle thing. If something breaks, it needs to get fixed," she said.

Barakat attributed the event’s orchestration and the greater success of the clinic to the Free Medical Clinic director, Todd Crump.

"I don’t know when the man sleeps," Barakat said.

Crump said he was very pleased at the night’s turn-out. More than the party itself and the talented musicians, Crump said the financial success of the event was overwhelming.

"For every one dollar we receive, we can generate just over six dollars worth of healthcare," said Todd Crump, director of the Free Medical Clinic. "Unlike some organizations in the community, we are truly a ‘free’ clinic.  We do not charge an application fee, bill for testing or demand money for prescriptions."

"With our limited budget, we were able to see patients13,000 times last year and dispense over $2.7 million worth of pharmaceuticals," Crump said. This year’s Doctor’s Lounge will enable a higher volume patient load and allow for more medicine to be dispensed.

Rials said supporting the Free Medical Clinic is a smart move for tax-payers. "Treatment costs for major medical problems of the poor will fall back on us," she said.

Crump agreed and said preventative care for chronic health problems is largely where the Free Medical Clinic focuses its energies.

"By managing chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, we are able to prevent strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, diabetic coma, vascular disease and other maladies which strike patients who are unable to receive appropriate care," Crump said.

Judy Smith, a member of the Free Clinic’s Board of Directors and head of the public affairs, said she was equally pleased by the number of people in attendance. Smith’s goal is to raise awareness in the Columbia community, not just the local medical community.

"I’m overwhelmed. This is a terrific response to what we hope will become an annual event," she said. "Our goal was to bring in new faces and foster more relationships with the greater Columbia community."

The bottom line, Smith said, was to boost the bank. "Tonight’s goal, of course, was to make money. But also to develop relationships and find more volunteers," she said.

Chairman of the board of directors, David Boucher agreed. "It is our goal to become one of the best known treasures in South Carolina, no longer one of the best kept secrets," said Boucher in his address to the audience.

Dr. Brooks Mays and his band, Public Storage, were approached by Crump to play in the event. Mays said he gladly accepted the offer.

"Every young kid in junior high wants to be in a band. I was one of them and I taught myself to play," he said. "Tonight was a lot of fun for a great cause."

"Since its inception, the Doctor's Lounge has made a huge impact on the publicity of and support for the Free Medical Clinic.  There are many aspects of life people take for granted, including access to health care.  With the far too many people in Columbia who cannot afford this," he said. "The Free Medical Clinic is there to help them."