STAMFORD, CT—AmeriCares has appointed new co-medical directors at its Weisman AmeriCares Free Clinic of Bridgeport.  Monica Lockwood, M.D., board certified in internal medicine, and George Clift, M.D., board certified in internal medicine and endocrinology, will serve in this volunteer capacity as advocates for the free clinic program.

“Drs. Lockwood and Clift bring years of experience to our clinic and important ties to our major hospital partners, St. Vincent’s Medical Center and Bridgeport Hospital.  They will be a voice for the free clinic at both hospitals which will help tremendously in raising our visibility in volunteer recruitment and advocacy issues,” Karen Gottlieb, executive director of AmeriCares Free Clinics said.

In addition to seeing patients, they will be responsible for actively recruiting medical staff volunteers, serving as liaisons to the hospitals and the medical community at-large, and will consult on policy and operational issues for the clinic.

Dr. Lockwood has been on staff as a volunteer for the AmeriCares Free Clinic since 2003 and also volunteers at the St. Vincent’s Family Health Center in Bridgeport.  Dr. Clift has volunteered at the clinic since 2009, where he runs the monthly endocrine specialty program.   He was the past Chief of Endocrinology at Bridgeport Hospital before retiring and serving in his volunteer capacity. 

The AmeriCares Free Clinics provide quality health care to low-income, uninsured Connecticut residents in a setting where all patients are treated with dignity and respect.  Since 1994, AmeriCares has provided more than $32 million worth of outpatient medical care including medication, lab work and diagnostic testing all at no cost.  The clinic program is made possible through the support of over 200 volunteers including doctors, nurses and interpreters.  Local hospitals, laboratories and specialists also donate valuable services. AmeriCares operates three clinics in Bridgeport, Danbury and Norwalk, CT.