Alex Epperly has a history of volunteering in medical clinics around the world, in rural places including Mexico, Kenya, India, and El Salvador.
This exposure to rural medical clinics led Alex to grasp the reality that not everyone has access to healthcare and medications, or, for that matter, even clean water. This hit home for Alex when he discovered the need for medical volunteers right in his own backyard—a place he didn’t have to travel to donate his time and talents.
“When I learned about WV Health Right, I immediately inquired about volunteering and started at the main clinic,” said Alex. “Through WV Health Right, I feel like I’ve been able to serve my local community in a really meaningful way.”
Alex volunteers at WV Health Right as a physician assistant and specializes in dermatology. With a family history of skin cancer, Alex recalls a pivotal point in his career when he had the chance to sit in for a cancer-removal surgery with his mother.
“I discovered the impact that dermatology has on transforming the lives of people with skin cancer and felt so drawn to the profession for the opportunity to provide such visual, life-changing care,” explained Alex.
Patients who receive free dermatology care through WV Health Right and have worked with Alex directly often come to the clinic with a visible skin condition, usually with some anxiety as well. Not only is Alex able to help calm their nerves prior to a procedure, but, often, he’s able to diagnose and treat them on the spot—helping the patient leave the clinic in a better condition than when they arrived.
As a West Virginian, Alex finds joy in helping other West Virginians. He shares WV Health Right’s belief that every person, no matter their financial or insurance status, is entitled to quality care.
“It’s clear that WV Health Right is genuinely devoted to making a positive difference for folks here at home,” said Alex. “I hope that the clinic continues to expand its footprint in the area so that we’re able to reach more people in our state.”
Volunteers like Alex are essential to WV Health Right’s mission of filling both existing and emerging healthcare gaps across the Mountain State—because access to excellent, compassionate care is a basic human right. Learn how you can help support the most vulnerable members of our community here.
