Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE — Last year, the Hope Clinic provided more than $650,000 worth of uncompensated care to its patients.

Tonight, the nonprofit health clinic in Lawrenceville will celebrate some much-needed help, as it hosts its annual “Circle of Hope” awards.

“(The event is) both a way for us to thank the physicians and providers who make such a positive contribution to the Gwinnett community, and a way to help communicate our mission to the public,” said Jessica Geller, the facility’s director of clinic operations. “It’s our largest fundraiser and the money from the event goes toward patient care and operations at the clinic.”

The Hope Clinic, founded in 2002, provides primary internal medicine care services to more than 7,500 working poor Gwinnettians. Based on West Pike Street, the clinic operates with volunteer physicians, nurses and office staff.

It’s passion, Executive Director Pam Martin said, is that “everyone deserves quality, affordable health care delivered with the utmost respect and kindness, without regard to age, race, language, national origin or ability to pay.”

Tonight’s celebratory fundraising dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Sugarloaf Country Club in Duluth.

For more information on the Hope Clinic or its Circle of Hope Dinner, call 770-685-1300 or visit www.hopeclinicgwinnett.info.