The Susan Dew Hoff Memorial Clinic, Inc., in West Milford, WV, began in 2001 when the mayor, Roy Donald Smith, asked Sister Mary Rebecca Fidler to direct a health clinic in the newly acquired municipal building. Sister Fidler had come home from Iowa to take care of an ailing parent and was getting ready to return to teaching medical school. Instead, she was persuaded to stay and was given permission by her Order to help start a medical clinic.
The Clinic opened in 2001, named to ... Read More
The Susan Dew Hoff Memorial Clinic, Inc., in West Milford, WV, began in 2001 when the mayor, Roy Donald Smith, asked Sister Mary Rebecca Fidler to direct a health clinic in the newly acquired municipal building. Sister Fidler had come home from Iowa to take care of an ailing parent and was getting ready to return to teaching medical school. Instead, she was persuaded to stay and was given permission by her Order to help start a medical clinic.
The Clinic opened in 2001, named to honor the first woman to practice medicine in West Virginia, Dr. Susan Dew Hoff. She worked in this area for more than 40 years, often riding on horseback and bartering for her fee.
When the Clinic opened for clients, it was realized that many who work have access to health care (Medicaid, charity care, etc.), but no dental coverage. Even if dental coverage is offered at work, it might be unaffordable.
The Clinic made the decision to offer dental services only, which includes restorative and preventative dental care. The first volunteer dentist, Dr. Dino Colombo, was recruited that year, and he and his assistant, Sandy Mano, faithfully came weekly for the next 17 years, serving thousands of people.
The in-clinic dental services are free for those who qualify, which is those who work and live in Harrison County, along with veterans and cancer patients in need. There are now five dental operatory suites, complemented by an office and reception area, a lunchroom/second office, restrooms, and a large storage area. Our rent for the city of West Milford is only $1 a year.
Today, the clinic serves approximately 800 adults each year and is blessed to have four dentists who visit during the month, along with other volunteers. In 2015, the clinic partnered with the West Virginia University School of Dentistry to help with the increasing numbers. WVU appreciates that their graduating students can get real-world experience by coming to this rural site, and two of their dental faculty now serve on the clinic board.
Sister Fidler passed away last year at age 90, but her work continues. The clinic does more than fix teeth, it changes lives by improving the appearance, overall health, and self-confidence of the people whom we serve.
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