Volunteers are the essential workers that make Crossroads Clinic a successful free medical clinic.
Approximately 70 individuals of various backgrounds and skill sets compromise this work group. Because everyone volunteers their time, the patient does not pay anything for the care they receive at the clinic!!!!!
The clinic is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00am-1:00pm. Most volunteers work 2 days/month from from 9:00am-1:00pm.
Can you imagine being part of a work group that actually has fun each day? New friendships are formed every day. Patients feel the welcoming and calm environment. Volunteers are happy to serve them and help in any way possible. Our team mantra is WE ARE NEIGHBORS CARING FOR NEIGHBORS!
Basically, volunteers are divided into 4 groups:
PROVIDERS – doctor or advanced nurse practitioner. They will
- Meet with the patient to discuss any health concerns and complete a physical assessment
- Order tests to confirm a health concern or track the status of a known issue. This could be lab work, an x-ray or a referral to a specialist.
- Order/adjust medications to treat a condition or maintain stability for known condition (ie diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, etc).
RN/LPN NURSING STAFF – usually this is the first person to have contact with the patient. They call the patient back into the clinic; check height/weight then place the patient in an exam room. The nurse will then review with the patient their reason for the visit today. BP is checked and if a diabetic a blood glucose or Hgb A1C will be completed. Testing in the clinic is limited to BS, Hgb A1C, urine dip and EKG. Other testing will be ordered by the physician and done at one of the 4 local hospitals as selected by the patient. The nurse will give report to the provider who proceeds to see the patient. At the end of the assessment, the provider will share discharge instructions with the nurse who will complete and share with the patient. RN/LPN will need to have an active license to function in the above stated manner. If an active license has not been maintained there are other duties the nurse can complete.
PHYSICIAL THERAPIST, PHARMACIST, AND MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER (LCSW) – each function within their scope of practice for patient care.
SUPPORT STAFF – These folks come from many walks of life (teachers, bus drivers, office workers, librarians, skill trade, corporate work, etc). They fill many functions at the clinic to support patient care. Everyone makes a significant contribution to the patient team.
If you would like to be a volunteer for Crossroads Clinic your next steps are:
- Call the clinic on a Tuesday or Thursday between 0900-1:00 636-561-3133.
- If interested in clinical work, ask for Cheryl or Susan. If being a support staff member, ask for Sharon. We will chat a while about the volunteer role. Then we’ll ask you to come to the clinic on a day of your choosing to SHADOW a staff member and see if this is the type of volunteer organization for you. If yes, you will be scheduled for specific one-on-one training before you join the team!
“I have been a volunteer for 10 years. I can tell you that every day I know I make a difference in a patient’s life AND I have made new friends. Pick up your phone, give us a call and see what amazing things lie ahead for you.” – Cheryl Moellenhoff, Nurse Volunteer
Volunteer Spotlight – January 2021
Maggie Guilkey, a volunteer at Crossroads Clinic has been volunteering at the Clinic since 2012.
Maggie came to Lake St. Louis from Anderson, Indiana. In Anderson, she worked for General Motors. Sadly, Maggie’s husband died while they were living in Indiana. Also while in Indiana, Maggie took on another commitment and adopted her young niece, Heidi. She kept herself very busy and took on another commitment and got her LPN license.
After the GM plants closed in Indiana, Maggie and her niece moved to Missouri as Maggie took a job at the GM plant in Wentzville. She retired from the Wentzville plant. Needing medical treatment for Heidi she turned to to Dr. Maimuna Baign, a physician whose office was in Lake St. Louis. It was at one of the visits that Dr. Baig told her about Crossroads Clinic and how they were in need of volunteers.
Maggie remarked “I have always wanted to do that”. Maggie went to the Clinic and met Cheryl Moellenhoff, who gave Maggie a big smile when she found out she was a volunteer. Cheryl was so happy to have her at the Clinic. Prior to moving to the Clinic’s present location, Dr. Baig established the Clinic in her medical office. The present location has allowed the Clinic to expand its services.
Maggie’s volunteer duties includes finding medical personnel who are willing to volunteer their time and cost of their services. This includes: dentists, surgeons, specialists, etc. She works with the local Lion’s club to obtain eye glasses for the Clinic’s patients. Maggie’s goal is to get services and needs of the patients donated.
Maggie also volunteers and supports the fundraisers that are held each year for the Clinic. She enjoys the monthly lunches for the volunteers which are now being postponed because of the Pandemic.
Maggie says she “is part of a wonderful group of volunteers”. She feels blessed to be part of this group and considers them friends. The feeling is mutual on the part of all the other Clinic volunteers.