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OUR PRACTICE
Exceeding Expectations One Patient at a Time
$4,216,567 in free or reduced prescriptions provided for our patients in 2018.
972 patients were seen in 2018 through 3,565 total appointments.
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In August 2001, three nurse practitioners, Rebecca Goble, Dayle Zanzinger, and Martha Larmer, started the Smyth County Free Clinic, Inc. to aid in the access of primary health care to uninsured, low-income individuals. The clinic’s name was changed to Mel Leaman Free Clinic in 2012 to honor the memory of Mel Leaman, the clinic’s first Executive Director.
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Mel Leaman Free Clinic was developed, because access to primary health care for the working poor was identified as a primary concern in Smyth County. Despite the myriad of assistance programs available to county residents, there are still people needing assistance, especially health and dental services.
The working poor constitute the majority of the uninsured, and those workers between 18 to 64 years old are particularly vulnerable, as they generally do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. Even with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), people struggle to access affordable medical services. In fact, free clinics across the country have experienced an increase in the number of patients with the introduction of the ACA.
To further increase the demands for our services, many of our clients are working for minimum wage in small businesses where the luxury of health insurance benefits is not available.
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In an effort to help those in that situation, we have made our primary target the uninsured whose income is less than 300% of the federal poverty level. There are approximately 21,941 persons age 18-64 living at or below 200% of FPL in our service area. That group represented 22.3% of the population. Of those, the US Census Bureau estimates 5,975 do not have health insurance. Many more do not have dental or vision insurance.
Mel Leaman Free Clinic operates as a private, not-for-profit medical facility and does not receive reimbursement from patients or insurers for services. All operating funds come from donations and grants.
Services we provide include primary medical care, access to vision care, dental care, medication assistance, behavioral health, women’s health, health education, social services, and referrals as appropriate.
The mission of the Mel Leaman Free Clinic is to expand and provide and improve the health care services available to the low-income uninsured in Smyth, Grayson, and Washington counties. This mission is met by providing free medical care and regular health visits to low-income, uninsured residents who cannot afford private paid care.
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Mel Leaman Free Clinic is a tax-exempt non-profit agency governed by a Board of Directors.

MEL LEAMAN
3/4/1954 – 10/16/2010
After a long courageous battle with cancer our dear friend, colleague, and mentor passed away at the young age of 56.
He had many titles: Executive Director, Councilman, Friend, Husband, and Dad. But the title he coveted most was that of Papaw. He loved his grandchildren and he proved his love by holding on to life until he knew each and every one of them was healthy.
He loved his family and his church family.
He loved watching football and fixing wings with his buddies.
He loved being on town council and representing his constituents.
He loved Thanksgiving, it was his favorite holiday.
He loved spending time in the kitchen cooking, sometimes all day!
He loved his town, always working hard to make it a better place to live.
He loved being a DEMOCRAT!!!
Most of all, he loved working at the Free Clinic and helping those in need.
Here’s to you friend, your memory lives on.

CLINIC STAFF
GET TO KNOW US
SUSAN MACNEIL FERRARO
Executive Director
DENISE HOWE, CNA
Practice Manager
LISA MITCHELL, LPN
Clinical Nurse Manager
PAM LEE, LPN
Clinic Nurse
SERENA PERKINS
Patient Coordinator
DEBBIE WILLIAMS
Medication Assistance Coordinator, CPhT
VOLUNTEER MEDICAL PROVIDERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DEANA LANDERS, RN
Chair
ANGIE OSBORNE, MLT
Vice-Chair
KELLY RICHARDSON
Treasurer, RN, BSN, NREMT-P
MARY RIGGINS, CDE
Secretary
JAMES PATTERSON, MD
Medical Director
NEIL HOLLYFIELD,
DDS
Dental Director
JENNIFER A. JONKERS,
MD
Director
JAMES MCDOWELL, MD
Director
REV. BARBARA FARMER
Director
REV. HARRY HOWE
Director at Large
GEORGE COPELAND, FNP
Medical Provider
CLAUDE CAMDEN, DDS
Dentist
AMBER SHULER, RDH
Dental Coordinator
HARRY HOWE, PA-C
Medical Provider
CATHY LOVING MAINE, FNP
Medical Provider
AMANDA FLEENOR, PA-C
Medical Provider
VICTORIA GALLOWAY, PA-C
Medical Provider
TONY CLARY, MD
Medical Provider
LARRY LIPSCOMB, MD
Medical Provider
ELLA FRAZIER, RN, EMT
Nurse
CHRISTY McGHEE, PA-C
Medical Provider
THOMAS McCLEARY, DO
Medical Provider
BARBARA BARTNIK, RN
Nurse
JAMES PATTERSON, MD
Medical Director
NEIL HOLLYFIELD, DDS
Dental Director
JIM MCDOWELL, MD
Medical Provider