Co-director to discuss Free Medical Clinic’s role under new health care law

Dr. Tanya Vargas, co-director of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, will discuss the role of the clinic under the new health care act in a community forum to be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Grace Covenant Church, 320 Robertsville Road.

Her presentation is entitled “The Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge after the Affordable Care Act.” Vargas said she will address the question, “If everyone is going to be insured after the Affordable Care Act, why would free medical clinics like FMCOR be needed?”

Vargas moved to Oak Ridge in 1990, after completing her pediatric training at Tulane University School of Medicine and Affiliated Hospitals, and three years of private practice in New Orleans.

She has been active in multiple organizations in Oak Ridge, including Oak Ridge Playhouse, ShowKids, Oak Ridge Baseball Association, and Montessori School of Oak Ridge. She is a founding member of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge board of directors and has served in various capacities on that board, including service as president.

Vargas is currently co-medical director of the clinic. She and co-director Jim Michel have coaxed other doctors into volunteering a few hours a month at the clinic and have requested certain medical specialists to treat dire-needs patients on a no-fee basis. The clinic serves low-income patients in Oak Ridge and several neighboring counties.

Vargas continues to practice pediatric medicine at the Children’s Clinic of Oak Ridge. She is a member of the American Medical Association.

The forum is sponsored by the Women’s Interfaith Dialogue of Oak Ridge. It is free and open to the public.

The Women’s Interfaith Dialogue brings together women of diverse faith and culture to explore, understand, and learn from one another for the purpose of advancing justice, compassion, friendship, and human rights with a focus on women and children.