Partners in Health: Supporting Community Care with Eastern Virginia Medical School

Dollar Bank has provided the Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) a $10,000 grant towards their HOPES (Health Outreach Partnership of EVMS Students) Free Clinic and EVMS Street Health programs.

The HOPES clinic is a student-run clinic that aims to provide essential medical care and enhance the community's quality of life, having served over 2,100 uninsured and underinsured patients since 2011. HOPES stands out as Norfolk’s only free clinic and the first student-run clinic in Virginia.

EVMS Street Health was created during the 2018-2019 school year to address the systemic issue of homelessness in Norfolk. Medical students conduct basic health screenings and offer referrals for accessible follow-up care during weekly clinics at Freemason Baptist Church. Additionally, they perform monthly "walking rounds," providing on-the-ground care for patients living on the streets. The team conducts health screenings, offers referrals and gathers data to guide sustainable, cost-effective solutions for the unhoused population.

Since 2021, Dollar Bank has partnered with EVMS and donated towards these initiatives. This year, the majority of the funding went to winter care items and essential healthcare supplies for the vulnerable populations being served. Each patient received a care package with essentials like soap, shampoo, toothpaste and in colder months, winter gear such as gloves, ponchos and hand warmers. This winter, the clinics expanded in partnership with the Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team, which increased patient volume and demand for critical supplies.

Additionally, funding went towards upgrading technology for the HOPES clinic, purchasing new iPads with cases and keyboards to replace nonfunctional laptops currently used for electronic health records. This will significantly enhance efficiency for both students and patients and improve the overall quality of care.

Lisa Saunders from Community Development in Virginia hopes to continue supporting EVMS and all the great work they do.

“We are grateful to continue supporting critical programs that increase healthcare access for underserved individuals and those who are challenged to afford any healthcare and health screenings. This is a great collaboration between EVMS and Dollar Bank to provide sustainable healthcare services to underserved Hampton Roads residents,” said Lisa.

Jacklyn Banas, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for EVMS, agrees.

“Contributions like this are deeply inspiring because they reaffirm our belief that community-driven care matters. They show that others recognize the value of meeting people where they are — whether that's on the streets, in shelters, or at our student-run clinic — and share our commitment to health equity. Support like this fuels not only our programs, but also the passion of our students, faculty and volunteers. It reminds us that we’re not working alone — that there’s a broader network of people and corporations invested in creating a healthier, more compassionate community.”

Over time, Dollar Bank’s investment will strengthen the infrastructure of community-based healthcare in Norfolk. It will empower students in medical and health professions with hands-on experience in compassionate, community-centered care. The expanded outreach and improved data collection will also inform sustainable strategies to address homelessness and health disparities in the region, contributing to lasting, systemic change.

About Dollar Bank

As the nation's largest independent mutual bank, Dollar Bank has been empowering the communities and customers we serve for 170 years. Our more than 90 locations throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and Virginia provide a comprehensive range of personal, small business and corporate banking solutions. We continue to invest in our customers and strengthen our communities through financial education programs and partnerships with organizations who share our dedication to building opportunities for all. As of November 2024, Dollar Bank reported total assets of $11.5 billion, total loans of $9.1 billion, and total deposits of $9.5 billion. For more information, visit Dollar.Bank.