PORT ANGELES — Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics, aka the VIMO free clinic, was born July 7, 2005, a decade ago, realized Zoe Apisdorf, a member of the slim staff.

An anniversary party is in order, so she and new Executive Director Mary Hogan are inviting the public over for a barbecue and potluck outside VIMO at 819 Georgiana St. this Saturday.

The celebration will start at noon with Hogan giving a speech on the clinic’s past, present and plans at 1:15 p.m.

Apisdorf, development coordinator, asks guests to RSVP by emailing development@vimoclinic.org.

The appointment-only VIMO clinic saw 1,479 patients last year, Apisdorf said, thanks to 80 volunteer doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and support workers.

These people donate more than 10,000 hours per year, she noted, to VIMO’s cause of free medical and dental attention for those who otherwise would not have access to care.

“We have a shortage in medical providers,” though, in clinic services, including dental and chronic disease care and mental health counseling, she said.

VIMO has a handful of paid staff people including Hogan, who succeeded former Executive Director Gary Smith.

Smith resigned in May due to health reasons, Apisdorf said. Hogan previously served as the clinic manager.

VIMO was born out of an initiative, spearheaded by United Way of Clallam County, to improve health care access to local residents.

Along with the Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic in Sequim and JC MASH in Port Townsend, the Port Angeles clinic does not bill patients; it operates on grants and donations.

Under the heading “Why We Do It” at www.VIMOclinic.org is this passage: “VIMO’s ‘Culture of Caring’ approach is based on an ethical standard in medicine that acknowledges how people are treated during a clinic visit is as important as the actual medical care they receive.

“People who come to VIMO clinic are our friends and neighbors, good people in need of help. Often surviving on limited resources, they often exhibit great courage simply trying to get though each day.”

For appointments and details about volunteering, phone VIMO at 360-457-4431.

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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.