Doctor’s office on wheels

By Tricia Lynn Strader / Journal staff writer

Clinic Coordinator and R.N. Cosby Potter-Davis stands by the mobile clinic by The Living Room Church in Berkeley Plaza. The refurbished bus features a medical office and two exam rooms. (Journal photo by Martin B. Cherry)

MARTINSBURG — Two years into its existence, the Good Samaritan Free Clinic has achieved another milestone.

The urgent care facility for the underinsured or non-insured, which operates on Wednesday nights at The Living Room Church, debuts a mobile clinic at the Unifest health festival Aug. 26 at South Middle School.

“The mobile unit will be just like going to the doctor’s office, only on wheels,” says clinic coordinator Cosby Potter-Davis, R.N. “The bus is being refurbished by Larry Foltz. We’ll have a medical office and two exam rooms.”

The schedule for the doctor’s office on wheels is still being worked out. Potter-Davis says it will likely have a routine of stopping at area churches, since the clinic is funded by churches and donations. Other locations, or instances when it can be of service in emergency situations, will evolve over time.

“We service the working poor, college students, those not covered at work or those who have lost their jobs ... many in need,” says Potter-Davis.

The idea for the free clinic started several years ago to lend a helping hand to those who fall through the health care cracks. With the help of many area churches, it opened Jan. 19, 2005, at The Living Room Church, which donated the space.

Every Wednesday, volunteer workers, nurses, doctors and spiritual counselors leave their day jobs to arrive at the clinic around 5:30 p.m. “By the time I get there, patients are usually lined up,” Potter-Davis says. “We start seeing them at six o’clock, and usually stop around 9:30. The average is 12 patients a night. It’s first-come, first-served.”

“We also do spiritual counseling. The clinic is Christian-based. We are funded wholly by churches or donations. We receive no grant money,” she says.

Dr. David Morris is the medical director. Dr. Ernesto Agbayani, a physician assistant, nurses, spiritual counselors, clerical workers and Potter-Davis round out the staff.

The 1985 Bluebird school bus was purchased on

eBay for $3,000. Churches and individuals, as well as businesses, donated money or discounted materials to make the mobile unit a reality.

Larry Foltz refurbished most of it. “I started the end of June, and worked every day. I probably have about 500 to 600 hours in it. Ron Stevens helped me part of the time,” he says. “It was starting new — building walls, putting in electric and a generator, a camper-type water system and a hot water heater. The Living Room donated cabinets. Bucky’s LTD donated all the paint. And there’s 20 feet of counter space for the secretaries. With all the donated or recycled materials, we were able to save about 50 percent of our budget, which was $4,000 to $5,000.”

Foltz estimates they have about $7,000 in the mobile unit.

Potter-Davis says the Unifest health fair is being sponsored as a free service by three churches. “We are focusing on the underprivileged. The clinic will conduct free sports physicals for the kids; they’ll have food giveaways and school supply giveaways, as well as games and activities,” she says.

The mobile unit will be officially dedicated Aug. 26 at 4 p.m.

The Good Samaritan Free Clinic operates Wednesdays at The Living Room Church, 50 weeks a year. Potter-Davis says the clinic averages 600 patients a year.

“We end up turning people away, there is such a need. If we saw everyone who showed up, we’d be there until the late night hours. So, we hope the bus will offset the strain on Wednesday nights,” she says.

The clinic also needs more providers and volunteers, Potter-Davis says. And they can always use supplies. To donate time, materials or money, contact your minister or e-mail Cosby Potter-Davis at cosby.davis@comcast.net.

“The goal is to one day have two buses, and a building of our own, with more space and a larger staff,” she says.



— Journal staff writer Tricia Lynn Strader can be reached at journal_reporter@juno.com.