Our Mission
Centre Volunteers in Medicine will serve and advocate for the medically underserved living or working in Centre County, PA.
Our Vision
All those living or working in Centre County, PA have access to health care.
What we do
The uninsured are everywhere in our county, often hidden. United Way calls them ALICE - Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, or the working poor. Many work multiple jobs but can't afford insurance. They prioritize housing, food, and transportation over healthcare, making preventative care inaccessible.
In 2023, 14,177 people in Center County lacked health insurance. The uninsured often go without care or resort to emergency rooms, increasing costs for everyone. Free clinics offer a lifeline, with 1,400 nationwide and over 40 in Pennsylvania.
CVIM is the only free clinic in Centre County. We're not a walk-in clinic; patients must qualify for services and live or work in Centre County. Eligibility requires a household income below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, which is $38,000 for an individual and up to $78,000 for a family of four. Applicants cannot have insurance for the service they seek.
Our Story
The first Volunteers in Medicine Clinic opened in Hilton Head, South Carolina, in 1991. The clinic relied on volunteers to provide compassionate care for the medically uninsured.
Efforts to establish a Volunteers in Medicine Clinic in Centre County, PA, began in February 2001. A group of local citizens led by Rev. Joe Faulkner gathered to address the healthcare needs in our community. Centre Volunteers in Medicine was incorporated as a nonprofit organization on June 12, 2001.
In February 2003, our clinic opened its doors to patients seeking medical care on Easterly Parkway in State College.
In December 2008, CVIM moved to Green Tech Drive, increasing its capacity to care for more medical and dental patients.
Thanks to our Capital Campaign Donors, CVIM is now located at 2026 Sandy Drive, with 11,000 square feet of technologically up-to-date clinic space.
