For a dozen years, Thomas Kelley, MD, practiced family medicine in Atlanta, where he founded The Good Shepherd Clinic, a free clinic for the uninsured, and developed The Georgia Free Clinic Network, a thriving pipeline of information that keeps healthcare providers abreast of free clinic activities and needs statewide.

 

In 2005, Kelley relocated to the Orlando area with his wife, Tina, and two young sons (now 11 and 13), and joined his father's practice in Longwood.

 

"My dad (Lawrence Kelley, MD) has practiced in the area for 35 years, and is an Orlando icon," said Kelley. "He's the original country doctor. It seems that everywhere I go, when I meet someone new, they've either been a patient of his, or are currently his patient. They just love him. If he's around, they don't want to see anyone else, not even me."

 

It's easy, then, to see where Kelley gets his benevolent spirit. Within a year or two of his arrival in Central Florida, he was named chairman of the volunteer physicians committee for the Seminole County Medical Society (SCMS). He immediately began strengthening participation in existing local volunteer programs, and implementing new programs, including an international outreach project.

 

Locally, seven physicians volunteer at various clinics associated with Shepherd's Hope, primary care clinics in Central Florida focused on the uninsured.

 

Because Shepherd's Hope was limited to primary care providers, Kelley coordinated efforts for Healthy Seminole, SCMS specialists willing to see one or two patients monthly in their offices on a pro bono, case-by-case basis.

 

On his half-day off every month, Kelley is one of two SCMS physicians that volunteer for Pathways to Care in Casselberry, a state-licensed assisted living facility providing respite care to residents recuperating from injuries or illnesses. Hospitals and emergency rooms typically refer uninsured patients to the 40-bed respite facility when they may be discharged, but still require medical recovery.

 

"Most of the patients there are homeless," said Kelley. "For instance, perhaps they had pneumonia, but are too weak to go back to sleeping under a bridge. I'll drop by and check on them. They're extremely appreciative of having a place to stay that's safe from the elements – a warm, clean bed – and being treated by such excellent staff. You hear a lot of heartwarming stories. And while they're there, they often get plugged into other social services that help them get back into society and off the streets."

 

Haiti Help Med Plus is a very special charity effort being led by SCMS member Ralph Gousse, MD, a hematologist/oncologist practicing in Altamonte Springs and a native of Haiti. The society is raising $10,000 for a roof needed to complete a new outpatient clinic with hospital beds and a surgical suite for Haitians in need of medical care. In November, a group of society members will travel to Haiti to volunteer at the new clinic.

 

"Dr. Gousse is really my hero, for making it his life mission to bring medical care to Haitians," said Kelley, already on the list for the November trip. "Our trip to Haiti is a brand new undertaking for us, and we're focusing on continuing to recruit members of the medical team for a mission trip there."

 

Other volunteer opportunities for SCMS members include:

 

·        The Sharing Center, a faith-based non-profit organization that seeks to ease the stress of poverty and prevent homelessness by providing basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and compassion to children, the elderly, and families in distress.

·        Kid's House, which takes a team approach in dealing with child abuse, allowing for all involved agencies and victims to come together at one single facility. There, the team collaborates on a complete investigation, including case history, information and idea sharing, while also carrying through to assist with prosecution and then determining the best course to provide mental health treatment and medical follow-up for the child and family.

·        Hispanic Health Initiatives. Organized in June 2000, HHI is a 501(c)3, nonprofit, volunteer-driven, community-based organization addressing the health needs of the medically under-served populations of Central Florida.

·        Health Care Center for the Homeless. Also a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Rick Baxley, MD, and a group of volunteer doctors concerned about the growing problem of illness and injury among the homeless established HCCH. The center offers the H.O.P.E. (Homeless Outreach Partnership Effort) mobile medical unit, a 37-foot medical clinic on wheels comprised of two exams rooms and staffed by a nurse practitioner and a licensed clinical social worker. The vehicle visits homeless shelters, domestic violence facilities, migrant camps, and other service providers for the homeless throughout Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.