The Anderson Free Clinic has begun a new tradition to recognize the volunteers who selflessly nurture the mission to provide healthcare to hundreds of low-income, uninsured individuals. Mrs. Bobbie Oglesby and Dr. Bill Turner were selected as outstanding care givers in the Free Clinic community – representing the spirit, the virtues and the values of all of the volunteers who give of themselves to care for others.

Supporters gathered at The Bleckley Inn for a wine and cheese reception to honor the two special individuals who were selected by the Board of Directors to receive the first ever Care Giver of the Year award.

Whether in direct patient contact, helping behind the scenes with charts, filling thousands of prescriptions each year, answering phones, writing grants or donating funds, all those involved with the Free Clinic are considered care givers, and without them, the Free Clinic would not be able to provide the healthcare so desperately needed in the  Anderson community.

Mrs. Bobbie Oglesby

Mrs. Bobbie Oglesby has been a volunteer of the Anderson Free Clinic since its beginning in 1994. Due to her many years of working in doctors’ offices before coming to the Free Clinic, Bobbie found an area where she could best use her training and experience. For all of these years she has headed the medical records transcription functions for the Clinic.

She has taught others to work in this area and has challenged and supported physicians and nurses to maintain accurate and appropriate patient information. Bobbie has spent three, or many four-full days a week supporting the operations of what has become an indispensable community resource.

She shows her caring spirit in many different ways:  assuming a governance role as a Board Member, taking supplies home to make charts, negotiating the best repair and maintenance service for our dictation machines, collecting and giving us discount coupons for office supplies, and participating in fundraising. In every role she has ever assumed at the Free Clinic, one thing has been a constant: giving her words of praise, encouragement and confidence and speaking candidly about her concerns over the challenges the Clinic has encountered.

Bobbie has taught many of us that feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in our life actually attracts more of the things that we appreciate and value into our life. She reflects the spirit of what Anderson Free Clinic caregivers are and that we want our annual caregiver award recipients to be known for:   committed people who place others above of their own personal agendas to bring hope and health for the poorest segment of our community and give them a medical home.

Dr. William Turner

Dr. Bill Turner began his involvement with the Free Clinic before the doors even opened in 1984. He was on the committee that formed the Free Clinic and was instrumental in all the planning that took place and continued to play a major role in growing its services to what it is today.

Although Dr. Turner is retired from his medical practice, it is not at all unusual for him to work at the clinic two to three times per week and enjoys the sometimes hour-long encounter he has with patients. Dr. Turner often follows the known “complicated” patients, and many patients often request him. Dr. Turner has precepted many, many residents over the years. He is an excellent teacher and works well with all the staff and volunteers.

Dr. Turner’s humbleness and his dedication to the oath he made can be observed each day he is at the Free Clinic. He donates his time, talents and treasures telling us that this is his opportunity to fulfill a mission, right here in his own community.