the engaged university
Mercer Medical Students
Serve I Learn and
by Roban Johnson
“It’s a win-win situation for everyone. Our patients are so grateful to receive health care,
Roger Idenden photo
and our students need to learn.”
n the past, Macon resident Shirley Robinson had no problem finding health care. She was covered under a health insurance policy and was able to see a doctor whenever she needed. That changed about five years ago. No longer married, the selfemployed beautician soon realized that she would need other resources to pay for health care. “It was really hard,” she said. “Although I worked, I didn’t have health insurance. It was expensive to buy it on my own, so whenever I went to the doctor, I had to use money out of my pocket that I really didn’t have.” Already diagnosed with glaucoma, Robinson knew how important it was to receive regular check-ups and care. Without insurance, she went to different places for a few months, but then heard about the Macon Volunteer Clinic, which provides free health care for Bibb County’s working poor. The clinic is staffed by volunteers, including Mercer pre-med and Medical School students and retired and practicing physicians, dentists, and nurses. “If it weren’t for the Macon Volunteer Clinic, I would be totally lost,” she said. “I work, but I don’t have enough money to pay for my health coverage. I don’t have to pay at the clinic because of all of the volunteers
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