Our Culture of Caring

Posted in February 2025

The Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) Model promotes a “Circle of Caring”

Being inclusive and welcoming to all is the foundation of the VIM Model. The “Circle of Caring” recognizes the strengths of those in need and respects their dignity. It prompts the idea that the manner in which people are treated during a visit to a VIM clinic is as important as the medical care they receive. Perhaps most importantly, it recognizes that those providing care are also receiving care from those they serve.

Volunteers In Medicine America has an immeasurable impact on every community we touch.

Since 1993, VIM has assisted in the development of free primary health care clinics for the uninsured. These facilities have expanded access to quality health care for low income people throughout the country. Today, 94 clinics continue to follow the VIM free clinic model. There is an enduring interest in this distinctive health care model, with more than a dozen new sites in development.

The "Culture of Caring" is at the heart and soul of the VIM clinic, which is based in the desire to restore greater ethical standards in medicine. These standards also reflect the approach used by our volunteer physicians, nurses and staff, whose focus is on providing quality medical care to good people who require treatment – many of whom exhibit great courage in their struggle to survive on limited resources, simply, to get through each day.

Our "Culture of Caring" recognizes the strengths of those in need and respects their dignity. We seek to heal not only physical illnesses, but the injuries caused by bias, prejudice and indifference, with policies and procedures in place for implementing and maintaining the "Culture of Caring", a required component of all VIM clinics.