WATERLOO - They used to do their mission work in faraway places like El Salvador and Guatemala.

But, when Geoff and Liz Miller decided it was time to settle down and have a family they knew their good-works trips would have to be put on hold. They knew, however, that their desire to serve the less fortunate would not subside.

Instead they focused their efforts and prayers on fulfilling one of Geoff Miller's lifelong dreams - to open a clinic serving the uninsured.

"Our society has chosen to leave a large population of people without access to medical care," said Geoff Miller, medical director of the Covenant emergency room department. "About 46 million Americans are uninsured and the way our medical system is set up, the emergency room is their safety net. We can't turn people away, but that leaves people with very fragmented care. Preventive medicine and treatment of chronic illnesses is lost in that setting."

Their dream finally was realized when another doctor, Michael Peters, pulled Liz Miller aside one day and told her of some available space in a new prayer center he was opening. Miller is a registered nurse in Covenant's surgery department.

The IHOPE Free Medical Clinic, 722 S. Hackett Road, opened to the public July 26, 2006. On average, the clinic, with the help of nearly 100 volunteers, serves about 20 patients during the three hours it's open from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays. Geoff Miller said the office has cared for people of all ages, with illnesses ranging from strep throat and asthma to coronary disease and cancer.

And people outside the Cedar Valley are taking notice of the work being done at the IHOPE clinic. The Millers will be honored Thursday, along with 10 other Iowa hospital employees, during the first Iowa Hospital Heroes, a part of the 78th Iowa Hospital Association annual meeting. The Iowa Hospital Heroes Awards program was created this year to recognize hospital employees who have performed a heroic act or tirelessly given their time, talent or expertise to better their hospital, patients or community, with measurable results.

Though Geoff and Liz Miller serve respectively as co-medical director and co-clinic manager at IHOPE, they said this award really needs to go to the dozens of volunteers who offer their time each week serving the patients. About 20 nurses and seven doctors volunteer their time to the clinic. Another 15 volunteers fill the office positions and another group of volunteers offers prayers services to patients who wish to speak with them.

"It's humbling to receive this award, but they are the ones really doing the work here," Geoff Miller said.

The Millers said the clinic was opened on a "shoestring budget" thanks to the volunteers and the space donated by Peters. A clinic in Traer had recently bought all new equipment and offered their older pieces, which were still stored on site, to the new free clinic. Covenant Medical Center has also stepped up, offering charitable care for patients who are referred for lab work or radiology services.

Greenwood Pharmacy also is offering the clinic access to prescriptions at cost. Patients can take their prescription from the clinic to the pharmacy. Owner Bob Greenwood bills the clinic, and the patients are given the medication for free. Geoff Miller said the clinic would not be able to operate without the support of Free Clinics of Iowa, which provides office support and malpractice insurance for the doctors and nurses.

"This has exceeded our every expectation," Geoff Miller said. "I think the Lord helped us. We were guided to do this and he guided the way."

Contact Emily Christensen at (319) 291-1570 or emily.christensen@wcfcourier.com.

{M3Where to go

If you are in need to free medical services the IHOPE Free Medical Clinic, 722 S. Hackett Road, is open Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m.