With a bag of prescribed antidepressants and blood pressure medication at his feet, Terrell Smith waits patiently in a small room at the St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic in downtown Spartanburg.
A doctor greets him a short time later. She’s bubbly and upbeat. You wouldn’t know Dr. Fran Kunda just finished a 12-hour shift at the family medicine practice in Greer.
At a time when doctors are working long hours due to COVID-19 battling fatigue and burnout while trying to protect themselves the free clinic has seen a decrease in volunteers offering help, making it tougher to schedule appointments for new patients.