Roanoke College intern aiding Bradley Free Clinic during a pandemic

Posted: Apr 15, 2020 / 07:11 PM EDT / Updated: Apr 15, 2020 / 07:11 PM EDT

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – During a pandemic and a ‘Stay at Home’ order leading to many working from home, even for health practitioners working from home, it hasn’t been easy, as many are operating on a skeleton crew, sometimes fewer than half of their staff. For instance, Bradley Free Clinic in Roanoke usually operates with around 20 employees at its clinic. Currently, it operates with just eight people on-site.

“We limited our staff that are in the building, a lot of our staff are working remotely, but our clinical service staff… we have kind of a skeleton crew and we also stagger the days that they’re here.”
Janine Underwood – Executive Director / Bradley Free Clinic

Last August Roanoke College and the Bradley Free Clinic started a Medical scribe program to help medical students get hands-on experience.

“These students were very passionate about learning about electronic healthcare records and the medical field and becoming scribes.”
Janine Underwood – Executive Director / Bradley Free Clinic

For Caitlin Sharkey, whom everyone calls “KK” this internship is everything she wanted with hands on learning.

“This is me being able to help people, this is what I’ve always wanted to do and now I actually have an opportunity to do it.”
Caitlin “KK” Sharkey – Roanoke College Junior / Intern at Bradley Free Clinic

Caitlin says doing this work is very important to her and the community.

“…this is dangerous, but I think it’s totally worth it cause you’re helping so many people. Especially here, these are people that really need help and can’t get it anywhere else.”
Caitlin “KK” Sharkey – Roanoke College Junior / Intern at Bradley Free Clinic

The Bradley Free Clinic provides much-needed healthcare for those that desperately need it, which is why they want their patients to know they’re still open, and here to help.

“The community needs us to stay open… and everyone needs to know that we are open and we are here to help and I think that’s important.”
Janine Underwood – Executive Director / Bradley Free Clinic