Dr. Clark Gaither awarded Order of the Long Leaf Pine
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on December 26, 2016 10:32 AM
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News-Argus/PHYLLIS MOORE
Dr. Clark Gaither, left, medical director of WATCH, is presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the governor's highest award to the state's citizens, by Steve Keen, former county commissioner now representing Governor McCrory's office, during Wednesday's WATCH board meeting.
Gaither initiated the development of the WATCH mobile unit program and has been the volunteer medical director since the first clinic opened in 2000.
The program has expanded to meet the healthcare needs of the uninsured in Wayne County.
It now operates two full-time stationary sites as well as continuing the oipration of the mobile free clinic on a full-time basis. Under Dr. Gaither's leadership, the clinics have become the primary medical home to more than 13,000 people in Wayne County.
The free clinic has secured more than $19 million in free pharmaceuticals to treat the patients, with over $7 million in free lab work donated. In addition to being a champion for the uninsured in the county, Dr. Gaither sought and secured financial support from the county commissioners and city county as well as local business and industry.