About CVIM
Serving Centre County with Compassion Since 2003
Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) is Centre County’s only free clinic, offering compassionate, high-quality care to uninsured individuals who live or work in our community. Since 2003, we’ve provided comprehensive services, from medical and dental care to behavioral health, case management, and medication assistance, free of charge and with dignity.
Our Mission
Centre Volunteers in Medicine will serve and advocate for the medically underserved
living or working in Centre County, PA.
Our Vision
All those living or working in Centre County, PA have access to health care.
Our Beginnings
In the early 2000s, Reverend Dr. Joseph Faulkner and a group of compassionate community leaders recognized a critical gap in access to healthcare for uninsured individuals in Centre County. Inspired by the original Volunteers in Medicine clinic in Hilton Head, Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) was established in 2003. What began as a modest primary care clinic on Westerly Parkway has grown into a comprehensive, volunteer-powered health center offering free medical, dental, behavioral health, women’s health, case management, prescription assistance, and specialty care services.
From our humble beginnings to our current, permanent home on Sandy Drive, CVIM’s journey has been shaped by the generosity of our community. The success of our Capital Campaign made it possible to move into a mortgage-free facility, an investment that now allows us to direct more resources where they matter most: to compassionate, high-quality care for our neighbors in need.
Who We Serve
We care for individuals who often fall through the cracks of the healthcare system, hardworking people who don’t qualify for public assistance but still can’t afford insurance. These are members of the ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), also known as the working poor. Many hold multiple jobs but must prioritize housing, food, and transportation over healthcare. For them, preventive care is often out of reach.
In 2023, 14,177 Centre County residents lacked health insurance. Many go without care or resort to emergency rooms, driving up costs for everyone.
Our work is powered by over 325 volunteers, including medical and dental professionals, receptionists, committee members, and students, alongside a small, mission-driven staff. We receive no regular federal or state funding, relying entirely on:
Individual donors
Local businesses
Foundation grants
Volunteer time and expertise
Because we own our clinic building, which is mortgage-free, more of every dollar goes directly to patient care.
