Dr. Raul Ruiz Tours Volunteers in Medicine Clinic

Indio, CA – Today Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) visited with volunteers and patients at the Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine Clinic (CVVIM) in Indio. This non-profit clinic provides free medical services to low-income, uninsured patients throughout the Coachella Valley. Dr. Ruiz served as a founding board member for the Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine and played an active role in making the clinic operational in November 2010.

“As an emergency room doctor, I have seen firsthand the need for affordable, high quality health care here in the Coachella Valley,” said Dr. Ruiz. “The Volunteers in Medicine are critical partners in addressing the local physician shortage crisis and high cost of care that many people in the 36th District face, and I applaud the outstanding work this group continues to do to improve access to care for middle class families across the Coachella Valley.”

“Given how instrumental Dr. Ruiz was in starting this clinic, we are thrilled to have him visit here today as our U.S. Representative,” said Volunteers in Medicine Executive Director Bruce Yeager. “We thank him for the work he has already done to support our mission of providing quality care to residents of the Coachella Valley and look forward to partnering with him in the future to improve the health and wellbeing of our local communities.”

The Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine Clinic began providing medical and dental services to low-income uninsured patients in November of 2010 in a rented space. Since opening, CVVIM has accommodated over 10,700 visits with local patients. The CVVIM secured funding from the County of Riverside, the City of Indio, and each Coachella Valley-based hospital to build their state-of-the-art clinic in Indio.

The Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine can be reached at 760-342-4414 or online at www.cvvim.org for more information on opportunities to get involved.

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