A nonprofit organization that provides more than 1,350 medical and dental patient visits per month continues to change to better serve the community.
Olde Towne Medical Center aims to give Historic Triangle residents in need access to preventive care and early intervention services. Classified as rural safety net clinic, the facility leases space from the Human Services Center on Olde Towne Road.
That center has been recently updated thanks to the generous support of citizens near and far.
A newly renovated area of OTMC includes three more exam rooms, which were funded by a matching grant from a foundation in Texas. The rooms were converted from office space and equipped with water sources and the necessary amenities of a medical practice room.
Judi Forehand Woods, an OTMC board member, said the center works closely with the Sentara and the additional space helps ensure same-day followup care for patients released from the hospital. Those people might not have a primary care physician, but are encouraged to make OTMC their medical home, regardless of ability to pay.
Assistance from the Williamsburg Community Foundation and the Williamsburg Health Foundation allowed OTMC to purchase a new exam table, one designed for patients with disabilities.
Click here for a virtual tour of the OTMC facility.
Other changes are less structural, but no less vital in providing fast and accurate care.
A state-of-the-art X-ray machine was financed by a fundraiser gala. Machines in the dental area can transmit images to iPads, eliminating the need for film.
In the OTMC education center, Kendra Robinson helps patients with chronic illnesses learn how to lead healthier lives. After a successful program of cooking classes in December, she is looking forward to a new session in April that will focus on seasonal recipes.
Robinson also does grocery tours with clients, meeting them at stores to learn about how to find healthy foods at the best price. Patients receive a $30 gift card in addition to the educational, hands-on experience.
“When we go there and we touch it and hold portion size, it comes to life,” Robinson said.
With new updates, OTMC still offers prenatal care, psychiatric services, health screenings and the Medication Access Program, which has provided $271 million in medication since July 1 to those who could not afford it otherwise.
Last year marked OTMC’s 20th anniversary. Since 1993, the facility has grown from only offering primary medical care to the wide range of services and programs available today.
“Olde Towne’s not going away,” Woods said.
For more information about OTMC, visit their website or call 259-3258.
