ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Free medical care with no strings attached.

Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Absolutely.

But to the 35 doctors, 26 nurses and 27 clerks who volunteer their time and talent every Tuesday and Thursday at the Alabama Free Clinic in Bay Minette and Robertsdale, it’s a reality and they really are giving their patients “something for nothing.”

With the motto “How can one little clinic make a difference? Well, it makes a huge difference to every patient without health insurance,” the clinics, — 212 Courthouse Square in Bay Minette and L.E. Rockwell Health Center on U.S. Highway 90 and Gilbert Drive in Robertsdale — are reaching out to those Baldwin County residents in need of medical attention, especially those in the seafood industry who have been affected by the BP Oil Spill crisis.

Executive Director Bill Chambers said they specialize in treating adults with high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated cholesterol and related conditions and in addition to no-cost doctor visits, they provide lab, x-ray and diagnostic imaging as well.

“We partner with seven private practice doctors from Bay Minette, Foley, Daphne and Fairhope and have access to services at Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley and North Baldwin Infirmary in Bay Minette. We also have an arrangement with pharmaceutical companies to provide prescriptions as well,” Chambers said.

If a generic drug is available, the patient must pay $4 a month but if only a branded drug is available, there is no cost to the patient, Chambers explained. “In all the years we have been doing this, we have never been turned down by a pharmaceutical company.”

To qualify for treatment, the patient must be 18 or older, a Baldwin County resident, have no medical insurance (includes private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare Parts A or B) and provide proof of income. They also must complete a phone screening and provide requested documents.

Because the clinic is a nonprofit organization, it depends on (tax deductable) donations from foundations, trusts, grants, individuals and community organizations, Chambers said, and has a 13 member board of directors that oversee the funds.

“We have been very blessed with great support from our donors. At least 60 to 80 percent of our money comes from foundations and trusts. One family foundation donated $20,000 and nine churches have given $4,400 to $10,000 in recent years,” Chambers said.

And because of a $5,000 grant awarded this month from the Community Foundation of South Alabama for the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Disaster Relief Fund, Chambers said they are wanting to expand their services to the residents of Foley, Bon Secour, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

“We are trying to work out an arrangement with BRATS (Baldwin Rural Area Transportation System) to pick up residents from Bon Secour Grocery store and provide round trip transportation to the Robertsdale clinic for those without access to a vehicle,” Chambers said.

Depending on funding, Chambers said they would like to open a clinic in South Baldwin within the next year on Monday nights and expand clinic hours for Robertsdale to Monday nights as well.

“We just had a double clinic with two doctors in Robertsdale in September and would love to make that a permanent thing. We just need more volunteer nursers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and clerks. Also have two board of director openings as well,” Chambers said. “In about two or three months, we should be able to have a double clinic every Tuesday night.”

And with future plans, comes a need for additional financial support.

Mark Cruise, director of development for the clinic, said they mailed out 1,100 letters in April to previous donors and members of the community and have received $5,000 so far. “We are very fortunate to have such generous supporters in our community. They realize the importance of the cause and are willing to give, which means so much to us.” Crusie hopes to make this mass mailing a semi-annual event.

There is no minimum contribution amount and besides monetarily, Cruise said people can also give of their time as volunteers.

“We are trying to reach all parts of the county and it is so good to see neighbor helping neighbor. The spirit of caring is so prevalent in the county. I try to remember that I, myself, am one paycheck away from needing a free clinic and there is no shame is getting help. That’s why we are here. Too many adults don’t get the medical care they need and let a problem go that could have been prevented because of no insurance. We are here to help them and provide compassion, dignity and respect to everyone who comes to us,” Cruise said.

And not only are the patients getting benefits, the doctors and nurses who volunteer are benefitting as well.

“Their contribution to the clinic is as much as blessing to them as it is to the patient. This is a very critical service we are providing and it could mean the difference between life and death in some cases,” Cruise said. “Our clinics are a testament to how well the public and private sector work together to make sure the clinics have all they need.”

The Alabama Free Clinic opened in 1998 in Bay Minette and was the brainchild of Dr. William Goetter, a pulminologist, and Dr. Charles Parrott, a cardiologist, both from Fairhope, who realized the need for free medical treatment among the residents of Baldwin County, Chambers said.

In the 12 years they have been operating, Chambers said they have seen 1,780 plus patients and each year, they have increased their numbers.

Also in the works is a Wellness and Health Education for Life Program focusing on incentives for patients and their families to make permanent healthy life style changes involving three elements: Medical Treatment Plan, Nutrition for Healthy Living provided by the University of South Alabama School or Nursing and Merck Pharmaceutical and Lifelong Exercise provided by the Mayo Clinic.

Considering his job a medical ministry, Chambers said “You can’t have a big salary working in a field like this. I and the doctors and nurses do it for the pure joy of helping people and the wonderful feeling we get from giving them the help and medical attention they need.”

For more information on the clinic or to become a patient, call (251) 937-8096. To make a monetary donation, mail to: Alabama Free Clinic, P.O. Box 1284, Bay Minette, AL 36507.