The Care Clinic

Staff Retirements, Additions and Celebrations

July 2015—Dr. Rucker is Retiring as Volunteer Medical Director!

Dr. Tinsley Rucker is leaving us! Dr. Rucker has been with us over 23 years, starting on the original steering committee that moved the clinic from concept to reality. He was instrumental in getting the doctors on board and convincing them they really had the time and energy to volunteer at the clinic after completing a full day in their offices. He is the only Volunteer Medical Director we have ever had, volunteering at least one evening clinic each month and coming in weekly to do his “homework”. He reviews and signs charts for all mid-level providers, reviews and approves requests for specialty consults, and reviews diagnostic test results to ensure abnormal results receive appropriate follow-up. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors and our Clinical Services Committee. He even takes time from his busy schedule to support our fund raisers, especially volunteering at his favorite event, our golf charity.
It is because of Dr. Rucker’s dedication and commitment to our mission that we have become and continue to be as successful as we are. He truly has compassion for our patients, and cares about their health. We are so blessed to have had Dr. Rucker as our Volunteer Medical Director for so long. We will miss him but wish him well as he begins a new chapter in his life.
Dr. Rucker will be leaving his practice, and our clinic, in July and moving to Virginia. He wants to move closer to two of his three daughters and his grandchildren who live in DC (without being too close). However, he will not be staying idle for long. Dr. Rucker has accepted a full time position on the faculty of the University of Virginia’s medical school. He will be teaching medical students how to run a practice of their own. Hopefully he will be able to instill the same passion he has for patient care in the next generation of physicians!
It is so hard to say goodbye to someone who has been such an integral part of our mission for so long. Dr. Rucker may be leaving us, but his legacy of caring will remain with us forever.


April 2015—The CARE Clinic Welcomes its new Clinical Director

The CARE Clinic is pleased to welcome Cathy Riddle as our new Clinical Director. Mrs. Riddle is a dedicated, skilled RN with a broad range of experience. She received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. Mrs. Riddle is a native of Philadelphia and came to Fayetteville in 1991 when she was recruited to be the Clinical Nurse Specialist for Surgery at Cape Fear Valley Health System. She has served as evening charge nurse at several different hospitals, Director of Continuing Education at Southern Regional Area Health Education Center, Administrative Coordinator at Fayetteville Ambulatory Surgery Center, and Risk Management, Corporate Compliance and Nursing Quality Coordinator at Cape Fear Valley Health System.
Mrs. Riddle volunteered at The CARE Clinic from 1996 until 2005 when her time was needed to help care for her elderly mother. Now back at The CARE Clinic she is thoroughly enjoying getting to know all the volunteers, patients and coworkers as she settles into her new position. “The CARE Clinic is an amazing place to work, you never know what miracle is going to happen next”, she reflects. “One day we are discussing the fact that some supplies are getting low and the next thing we know, a couple of school buses arrive with enough supplies to fill up the waiting room. Another night the Medical Director reviewed some lab work and said the patient really needed a Nephrologist. At the end of the clinic, that same night, a man came through the front door, introduced himself and said he was a Nephrologist and wanted to volunteer at The CARE Clinic.”
Mrs. Riddle is married and in her spare time volunteers at Good Shepherd Catholic Church teaching Baptismal prep classes to parents, Safe Environment Training to adults who work with children, and serving as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. She also loves spending time with family and being by the water whether it is swimming at the HealthPlex, kayaking on the lake or relaxing at the beach.


July 2015–The CARE Clinic Welcomes its New Volunteer Medical Director

The CARE Clinic is pleased to announce Dr. Catherine (Kate) Kelly has graciously agreed to serve as our Volunteer Medical Director. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Dr. Kelly graduated from the University of Toledo with a BS in Chemistry. She worked several years as an analytical chemist before pursuing her passion for medicine. Dr. Kelly graduated from the University of Toledo College Of Medicine and came to Fayetteville as a resident physician at the (then) Duke/Fayetteville Area Health Education Center. She is currently in private practice at the Medical Arts Family Practice, and also serves as the Assistant Medical Director at CFV/LHC Hospice. Dr. Kelly enjoys spending her free time with family and friends and her dog Baxter.
Although new to the position, Dr. Kelly is a longtime volunteer at The CARE Clinic, generously sharing her time, talents and treasures with us. She began volunteering as an evening clinic physician in January 1994, shortly after the clinic opened, and has been a faithful volunteer ever since. She is an active member of the Clinical Services Committee, even offering to take minutes upon numerous occasions. She also shows her support of our mission by sponsoring and attending our fund raisers.
We are thrilled Dr. Kelly has willingly agreed to take on the extra responsibilities as our Volunteer Medical Director. We sincerely appreciate her dedication and commitment to our mission and look forward to working with her in this new role.

 

 


March 2015—Katheryn Jenifer Retires After Fourteen Years!

A few months ago a former patient of The CARE Clinic walked in and gave the staff a poem he had written to show his appreciation for the care they had given him. It read: “Health care at its best, I went in not knowing my east from my west, but before I left, I did pass my test. Given a scale of one to ten, I will go there again and again!”
One of the main reasons The CARE Clinic delivers “health care at its best” is Katheryn Jenifer, Clinical Director. For fourteen years she has offered her professional expertise and her compassionate spirit to ensure each patient is given excellent care and treated with respect. Katheryn is retiring, and she will be greatly missed by the staff, the volunteers, and the patients.
Katheryn first found out about the clinic and its mission to treat the uninsured when she was working at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Cathy Ory, the current Executive Director of The CARE Clinic, encouraged her to become a volunteer. After several years of volunteering, Katheryn was touched by the numerous patients who had felt helpless until they found the clinic. “I truly felt called to work at the clinic and suggested they hire me as Clinical Director,” stated Katheryn. That leap of faith led her on a career path that has been extremely rewarding both to her and to the many patients she has encountered. “It has been a good feeling knowing we do our best for the patients,” said Katheryn. “I have enjoyed trying to help the medically underserved—those who have no other place to go.”
As Clinical Director, Katheryn was in charge of all medical personnel, pharmacists, lab technicians and nurses who treat the patients. She also coordinated the volunteer schedule for all clinics held. Rachel Violette, a volunteer, states “I was always impressed with Katheryn’s calm and competent manner. No matter how hectic the clinic became on a busy night, Katheryn could always manage any problems with ease.”
“It’s the patients I’ll miss the most,” Katheryn said. “I’ll also miss the many dedicated staff members and numerous volunteers—they’re the best volunteers anywhere!” She described her job as fun and liked the fact her job was not stressful. “Everyone works together to give patients the best health care possible.” Volunteers enjoyed working under Katheryn’s supervision because she always made them feel valued and created a stress-free atmosphere.
Another aspect of the clinic Katheryn loves is the appreciation the patients show. She recalled when a patient received a Worker’s Compensation check after being treated. The patient returned to the clinic with a check for several thousand dollars! Another patient who was cured of cancer because of the clinic continues to return for treatment and has shown constant appreciation. Other patients show their thanks with homemade cookies, notes, and hugs. These gestures make working at the clinic a pleasure for Katheryn.
In the last fourteen years, Katheryn has witnessed a great deal of change. The clinic grew so much it built a new clinic specifically designed for its patients’ needs. More specialists now come to treat patients. Partnerships with Methodist University, Fayetteville Technical Community College, and Fayetteville State University have brought many students to the clinic to train. Katheryn has been responsible for these clinical hours and could often be seen working one on one with them to give them community health experience. She also worked with high school students doing community service projects.
Katheryn plans to enjoy retirement spending more time with her family, including her seven grandchildren, and traveling. She also intends to seek out new volunteer opportunities. But not to worry, Katheryn will still be seen at the clinic since she plans to continue to volunteer here!
Katheryn has given so much of herself as a dedicated, compassionate, competent health care professional. Throughout her fourteen years as Clinical Director, she constantly demonstrated that this, indeed, was a “calling” for her. “I felt this was what I needed to do. So many people helped me along the way, and I wanted to help others too,” offered Katheryn. The clinic will always be appreciative that she listened to her inner voice and came to work at The CARE Clinic. With her credentials and expertise, Katheryn could have chosen to work anywhere—but she chose The CARE Clinic and we are so thankful that she did!

Address Icon239 Robeson Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301Phone IconPhone 910-485-0555Email Icon E-mail: [email protected]
239 Robeson Street,
Fayetteville, NC 28301

Phone 910-485-0555

[email protected]