For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, students and faculty with the Delivering Equal Access to Care (DEAC) Clinic held an in-person fundraising event – and they set a record.
The DEAC Clinic’s “A Night in the Quarter” event in March raised more than $13,100 for the student-run, physician-staffed free clinic, which helps those who cannot afford health insurance and do not qualify for government assistance.
Volunteers with the Medical Center Guild were among those who helped make the event the most successful yet. Local companies lending their support included Diamondback Grill, Incendiary Brewing and Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Co.
Medical students leading the gala effort included current third-year student Rachel Carrasquillo, and current fourth-year students Stephanie Snyder, Anita Rong and Priscilla Zameza. Others assisting were Sandy High from the Medical Center Guild, and Ursula Whalen, MD ’00, and Jessica Koontz, MD, both assistant professors of general internal medicine, who provided faculty support. All of the efforts were coordinated through the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations.
“Our 2023 DEAC Clinic gala was a great success,” said Carrasquillo. “It was incredible to see our community come together to raise funds for an organization that we are very passionate about that helps the city of Winston-Salem.”
The clinic began in 2008 and is composed of students enrolled in various Wake Forest University School of Medicine programs, including the MD and PA programs. The clinic recently relocated to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Pediatrics Winston East at 2295 E. 14th St., in Winston-Salem, and serves uninsured residents of Forsyth, Davidson, Davie, Stokes and Yadkin counties.
Care is provided by appointment only every Monday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for adults 18 years and older.
Services include:
- Routine office visits
- Limited free lab work and medications
- Referrals for subspecialty services
- Chronic disease education and medication management
- Community wellness and prevention
- Smoking cessation counseling with peer support
Impact of Supporting the DEAC Clinic
The clinic welcomes physicians and PAs from around the region who would like to get involved as volunteers. There are particular needs in internal, family and emergency medicine.
Expertise also is needed for occasional specialty nights in such areas as cardiology, dermatology and pulmonology.
There is no long-term commitment, and those who are interested can sign-up as their schedule allows.