Friendship Medical Clinic one of 46 free clinics in state

Volunteers at Friendship Medical Clinic, the oldest free clinic in South Carolina and one of the first community partners of the United Way of Horry County, provide services to as many as 500 low-income persons a year.

The 48 volunteers include physicians, nurses, pharmacists and support people whose in-kind donated services in 2013 were valued at $1,878,884. Executive director Terri Harris says in addition to the seven volunteer doctors, “approximately 32 specialists in Horry County are generous enough to accept referrals.”

One of those specialists will see a woman who has a condition that has prevented her from working at her stand-up job. The woman has had a cyst for several months, but could not afford treatment. At Friendship’s flu shot clinic with Walgreen’s “she happened to come in and I talked to her and encouraged her to apply.” The woman was accepted, a Friendship volunteer doctor ordered tests and she now has the appointment.

Friendship serves low-income patients who don’t qualify for programs such as Medicaid. Patty Gresko, the volunteer pharmacist-in-charge, feels the need for the clinic’s services will continue. Gresko has been a volunteer for 17 years, starting when Friendship was in Myrtle Beach and included a pre-school. “It’s a wonderful organization,” says Gresko, who worked in hospital pharmacy in Columbia and Atlanta prior to moving to Myrtle Beach. When her children were young, she took them to the clinic once or twice a week. Now she typically goes twice a month, helping out the “four or five regulars” who volunteer in the pharmacy. They dispensed 8,859 prescriptions in 2013.

“Absolutely, without United Way, there would not be a free clinic in Horry County, Harris says. The current $62,500 allocation from United Way of Horry County is a significant part of Friendship’s operating budget of $234,171. The allocation is down from $72,000, illustrating the importance of the United Way fundraising campaign making its goal. Recent drives have fallen short.

About 2,400 supporters received this year’s annual fundraising newsletter which includes a request to “consider a Christmas gift ... in honor of or in memory of someone that has made a difference in your life.” The clinic receives no federal government money. Harris says several churches give monthly contributions and she seeks grants. Conway Medical Center Foundation is “very generous” and underwrites the rent for the clinic on Highway 544, about a mile south of Horry-Georgetown Technical College.

In April, Gresko hosted a Drop In Tea fundraiser featuring Mehera Blum handbags, jewelry and scarves. The event at Dunes Golf & Beach Club netted approximately $1,800.

Friendship Clinic started in 1965 with a group of Myrtle Beach High School 10th graders. Harris is developing plans for a 50th anniversary celebration in 2015. The clinic and pharmacy is a venerable and viable service, thanks to the generosity of many medical care providers and others.

This story was originally published December 3, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Friendship Medical Clinic one of 46 free clinics in state."