Volunteers In Medicine To Hold Retirement Reception For Hadley

Volunteers in Medicine will host a reception for former VIM Clinical Director Wanda Hadley on Wednesday, March 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. It will be held at Volunteers in Medicine, located at 836 Jackson St. in Columbus.

Paige Harden, public relations and marketing specialist at Columbus Regional Hospital, says Hadley retired at the beginning of March after 16 years of service. She was the last original VIM staff member who had worked at the clinic since its inception in 1996.

“Wanda has brought healing and hope to thousands of patients and volunteers. She is the ‘heart’ of Volunteers in Medicine,” said Cheri Wildridge, Medication Assistance Program Director.

Wanda served as the first full time Clinic Coordinator from 1996 to 2006. She was responsible for managing the flow of patients, overseeing the work of RN volunteers, and supporting the physician volunteers in delivering care to patients. She was also responsible for recruiting, training and supporting RN volunteers. 

In 2006, Wanda was named Clinical Director of VIM.

“Wanda is our servant leader. She leads by example,” said Keith Weedman, VIM Executive Director.

Volunteers in Medicine serves the medically uninsured in Bartholomew County. In 2011, the clinic served 854 patients and disbursed medications valued at $2.5 million.

A dedicated group of volunteer physicians, dentists, nurses and community volunteers enable the clinic to offer every citizen access to diverse and far-reaching healthcare service. The clinic receives no tax dollars or subsidies from the government and relies on the generosity of the community to keep the doors open.