CRESTVIEW — Dr. J.D. Bailey and his wife, Penny, moved to Crestview about a year ago hoping to open a medical clinic here.
Both are retired from the Air Force after serving 30 and 24 years, respectively, and both worked at the Pentagon. Bailey has 18 years’ experience as a family physician.
Shortly after they arrived in the area, a friend contacted them about becoming board members of Crossroads Medical and Dental Clinic, a Valparaiso free clinic.
Soon, Central Baptist Church in Crestview raised interest in a Crossroads satellite free clinic. The church owned an empty building at 951 S. Ferdon Blvd., that could support the cause.
“This was the vision of Paul Mixon, pastor of Central Baptist Church, who wanted a medical outreach in the community,” Penny Bailey said. “He has worked tirelessly with the city of Crestview for the past six months to get Crossroads Clinic to Crestview.”
Now, that vision is a reality.
“We just received word Monday morning that the license has been approved by the city,” Penny Bailey said.
Crossroads, a non-profit organization, provides free medical care for those who have no medical insurance and meet Florida criteria for receiving this service. It began 12 years ago and, in that time, reportedly has provided millions of dollars of medical, dental, and pharmaceutical care for its patients.
Cindy Bray, the Valparaiso clinic’s administrator, and Mixon did not immediately return calls for this article, but Crestview’s Crossroads satellite location will open in about two weeks, with regular office hours on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, the Baileys said.
“My wife and I are thrilled about the opening of the Crestview Crossroads location,” said Dr. Bailey, the medical clinic’s primary physician. “We have been serving our country for a combined 54 years and have the desire to serve our community. North Okaloosa County and Walton County are underserved as far as medical care is concerned.
“We want to provide medical care to those who need it.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free clinic to serve uninsured, 'underserved'