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Medical directors serve as advocates in the local community, provide guidance on clinic policies and procedures and assist with the recruitment of volunteer physicians.
Wolfsohn, a longtime AmeriCares volunteer, has been treating patients at the Bob Macauley AmeriCares Free Clinic of Norwalk since 1999. Shapiro has been volunteering for the Stamford clinic since it opened in January. Both said helping uninsured patients receive medical care is a rewarding experience.
“A man came up to me on my first day volunteering and shook my hand and said, ‘This is a very good thing you are doing,’ ” Shapiro said. “It gave me goose bumps. Patients are very thankful and it is a great feeling.”
Even after 15 years, Wolfsohn said he gets satisfaction knowing the treatment he provides will help a sick patient get well, return to work and provide for his family.
“Many of our patients don’t have paid sick time, so if they can’t work due to illness or injury it is tragic,” Wolfsohn said. “I am glad I can help get them back on their feet.”
The AmeriCares mobile clinic is on the road three days a week making scheduled stops on Stamford’s East Side, West Side and in the Waterside neighborhood, providing primary care services to low-income Stamford and Darien residents without health insurance.
It is the only free clinic in Stamford where nearly one out of every five residents is uninsured. AmeriCares also operates free clinics in Norwalk, Bridgeport and Danbury, serving nearly 3,000 Fairfield County residents annually.
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