HUNTINGTON, WV – When Ebenezer Medical Outreach saw its first patients in 1986, a volunteer physician worked once a week from the basement of Fairfield’s Ebenezer United Methodist Church.

Today, Ebenezer   is a full-time clinic with six exam rooms, a dental clinic, a pharmacy, and more on the first floor of the Douglass Centre. Yet, one thing hasn’t changed: dedicated volunteers still make Ebenezer’s work possible.

Last year, 110 individuals volunteered over 2,500 hours with Ebenezer, including 800 hours by providers seeing patients, 1,200 hours by health professions students supporting clinic operations, and over 500 hours by others serving in the clinic’s outreach activities.

Many of these volunteers come through employers like Marshall Health Network, which generously support their personnel regularly spending time in service to the community. Others come to Ebenezer when they are ready to retire from full-time work – but not from helping people.

Karen Bailey, APRN, FNP-BC, just began volunteering with Ebenezer this year. After nearly fifty years as a nurse and three years of rest in retirement, she yearned to be back in the clinical setting.

“I thought I had more to give, and needed the opportunity,” Bailey said. “I volunteer for those uninsured and underinsured who have no healthcare, and need a chance at wellness. Those people who need to know that their financial situation doesn’t have to block them from seeking health care. They have a right to be able to choose health over illness.”

Dr. William Grimes is a two-time Ebenezer volunteer. Having previously served in the past, he returned to serving after the dental clinic’s re-launch in 2024.

“Dental pain is among the most severe pain a person can experience,” Grimes said. “Alleviation of these symptoms drives a desire in every dentist to succeed.  This service can be rewarded more so when treating those who are unable to afford associated costs.  Ebenezer Clinic fills this role and constitutes the best reason to practice dentistry in this setting.”

Because Ebenezer is more than a clinic, volunteers of all ages and backgrounds can make an impact.  Rachel Hager, age 12, and her younger brother Asher, age 8, enjoy the chance to help people each month. With activities from passing out medically indicated food boxes to decorating the clinic for the holidays, they also enjoy that their service is a family affair. (Ebenezer’s Executive Director is their father.)

“I volunteer because I want to give back to a community that has been good to me,” shares Dr. David Eller, who serves Ebenezer as President of its Board of Directors and as a dentist. “I want to help those less fortunate. It’s very gratifying when a happy patient leaves and expresses their sincere appreciation.”

To learn more about giving to, serving with, or becoming a patient of Ebenezer Medical Outreach, visit https://emohealth.org/.