Sunday will mark the grand opening of the Moore Free Care Clinic (MFCC) in Southern Pines.

From its beginnings in Carthage in 2004, the clinic offered appointments to patients two nights a week. And now, in its new 3,000-square-foot facility, it has the capability to see as many as 15 patients per hour, five days a week, plus two evenings.

The new facility has four exam rooms and one treatment room, staff offices, and a room for seminars and volunteer training.

The Moore Free Care Clinic (MFCC) is a private, primarily volunteer-based nonprofit organization, which sees many patients who fall through the cracks of the health-care system and often seek care only in emergencies. Many of these persons use the Emergency Department of FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital as a "primary care clinic."

MFCC works to prevent ER visits by providing primary care for these persons. The clinic does a preliminary full health evaluation and then places patients on a chronic disease management plan, often including free prescription assistance.

"The number of people we can help is extremely dependent upon the number of physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practioners who volunteer their time." said Mark Whethington, MFCC co-founder and interim executive director. "We have expanded our services to include specialty care and clinics in mental health, dental, orthopedics, neurology, ENT, physical therapy, cardiology and ophthalmology because we have physicians who generously give back to a community that needs them now more than ever."

In 2008, the MFCC received $515,154 in community contributions and grants and was able to provide $1,132,357 in medical services to its patients.

The Chronic Disease Management program has seen an 80 percent improvement in stability of health issues related to diabetes and hypertension. The majority of patients in its mental health program have shown a decrease in stress, anxiety, and depression, indicating that the management of these health issues has contributed to the improvement of their overall health.

The public is welcomed to the grand opening, which will be held from 4 to 6 p.m.

The clinic is at 211 Trimble Plant Road, Suite C, which is just off Yadkin Road in Southern Pines.

The clinic relies on the gift of time from medical professionals and lay volunteers.

Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to call 246-5333.