A COMMITMENT TO CARING (NAPSA)—Lazy daysthat stretch til sunset...the chance to bring the golf gamein under 100...gourmet dinners overlooking water. These are the kind ofthings that Dr. Jack MeConnell had in mind whenheretired to the resort community of Hilton Head Island, 8.C. But this vision of carefree golden years quickly faded when he discovered many of the hardworking residents of the island couldn’t afford routine medical care. A long-time advocate for the medieally underserved, Dr. McConnell put his retirement on hold, and in 1994 opened thefirst Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) clinic to provide free health and wellness care to any patient in need. “This man saved mylife!” said Charlesetta Rimko, right, of Dr. Jack McConnell. Rimko has been a patient of Dr. McConnell’s since 1994 when the first VIM clinic opened in Hilton Head, SC, and she now helps othersby volunteering at theclinic. The Tylenol grant is earmarked to where they receive medical care at no charge from a volunteerstaff of help VIM support the establishment of 12-15 free clinics over the next three years. Ashley McEvoy, Tylenol fran- healtheare professionals. The clinic also houses a complete dental facility, and provides mental those in need, we knew we'd found Today, hundreds of Hilton Head residents come to the VIM clinic, retired doctors, nurses and other health, social work and even chiropractic services. News of the first VIM clinic’s success spread, and Dr. MeConnell has been inundated with requests to help start VIMelinies in other communities across the country. He responded—there are now 15 additional clinics nationwide—and the requests continued to pour in for assistance. Now, thanks to a grant from MeNeil Consumer Healtheare, the makers of Tylenol brand products, the VIM model of caring is poised to reach many more people. chise director, is one of VIM’s most passionate supporters. “When we saw VIM’s dedication to caring for a kindred organization,” she said. Although Dr. McConnell enjoyed a fulfilling career in medicine, he believes that establish- ing VIM clinies has been his most rewarding undertaking by far. “Thanks to the grant from McNeil,” said the 76-year-old physician, “we will have the ability to reach thousands more patients who would otherwise go without routine medical care.” For more information on volunteering or starting a VIM clinic, elick on tylenol.com/VIMI orcall toll-free 1-866-TYLENOL.
