ARCHIVES OF VOLUNTEER STORIES
Every volunteer comes to BVMI with a different history, expertise, skills and expectations. Their experiences at BVMI vary as much as their backgrounds.
Whether the volunteer is a physician who is managing a patient's diabetes or working the front desk to check people in, every volunteer is here for the same reason: to help Bergen County's working low-income residents get the healthcare they need and cannot afford.
Inspired by Volunteering at BVMI
All his life, Aret Varvar, RN, knew he wanted to help people. While pursuing a degree in law enforcement, he saw a flyer seeking EMT volunteers and decided to sign up, thinking it would tie in nicely with his studies.
Aret was hooked right away. One of his mentors, a seasoned EMT, suggested that he explore healthcare as a career. He did, and now, he can’t imagine doing anything else. “Thankfully, I stumbled across my passion.” He enjoys the challenge of identifying the one factor – however small – that is affecting a patient’s overall health.

Without Our Partners, We Would Have to Close Our Doors
Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative changes lives and save lives, and we couldn’t do it without help from our partners in the community. On September 21, we had the opportunity to recognize six of them at BVMI’s 7th Anniversary Gala.
Quest Diagnostics was presented with the Corporate Leadership Award, and the radiology departments at all five Bergen County hospitals were presented with the Community Leadership Award. Since 2009, Quest Diagnostics has provided free lab work for all BVMI

With BVMI, You Don't Have to Stand Alone
For Dr. Kay Fagan, volunteering as part of BVMI’s Women’s Health Initiative is a perfect match because she believes that “women are unique.” After working in a women’s prison, Dr. Fagan promised herself that she would continue serving in a clinical setting that values women.
When she received an email from a colleague about BVMI back in 2009, Dr. Fagan immediately saw an opportunity to “to practice in an underserved area with women who are

Dr. Josef Machac Leads Obesity Team
When Dr. Josef Machac was in medical school, he was fascinated by every specialty there was. He ultimately focused on cardiology, but has believed throughout his career in the power of taking an interdisciplinary approach to medicine. He’s consulted on thyroid cancer studies, assisted in various dementia studies and examined issues relating to obesity.
Dr. Machac heard about BVMI when it opened in November, 2009. He was still working, but helped raise money by making presentations at Central Unitarian Church in Paramus. As he
BVMI is Grateful for our "Snowbirds"
Dr. Timothy Corey is what we affectionately call a “snowbird” here at BVMI. For several months of the year, he volunteers at a free clinic in Englewood, FL.
When he returns to New Jersey for the summer months, he donates his time to BVMI. Dr. Corey, a dermatologist, has been volunteering with BVMI for two summers now.
We Love Our Nurses!
National Nurses Week 2016 (May 6-12) gives everyone another chance to say thanks. "We are immensely proud of the 33 nurses and nurse practitioners who love their profession – and their patients – enough to donate their time and talent,” said Amanda Missey, BVMI’s President & CEO.
It's Never Too Late!
Heidi Ahlborn, MD, became a BVMI primary care provider in 2015, but she’s no stranger to the medical field – or to us. A trained physician, Heidi had focused for 25 years on building a strong family, with five children. She placed her medical license on “inactive” status during that time.
¡Hablamos Español!
BVMI is fortunate to have three volunteer interpreters: Christian Monsalve, Anjelica Veca and Judith Venegas. Their job is twofold – to help the doctors, nurses, and other clinical volunteers and staff to fully understand the patient’s symptoms and to help the patient understand what follow-up is needed and how to take any medications that are prescribed.
Strengthening Skills through Volunteering
“Emergency room nursing is all about stabilizing and treating the patient’s urgent healthcare needs in the short term, whereas the work at BVMI is focused on the patient’s long term, primary healthcare needs,” explained Tom Scheuren, an RN with Chilton Hospital and valued BVMI volunteer.
Transitioning from Private Practice to Volunteer
“When I was first introduced to the BVMI concept of primary healthcare for the uninsured, I knew I would become a volunteer there as soon as I could free up some time,” explained Dr. Noel Friedland, a specialist in internal medicine for 40 years and now a three-year BVMI volunteer.