Dr. Walter Murphy, GFCFS volunteer
Dr. Walter Murphy, GFCFS volunteer
Instead of heading home after a long day at his dental office, Dr. Walter Murphy often comes to Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services to treat patients who otherwise wouldn’t have access to dental care.  Along with other members of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Dr. Murphy is one of the founding members of the Free Clinic.  His involvement allowed the clinic to open in 2000 with both dental and medical care, an uncommon feature for a free clinic, then and now.  Dr. Murphy’s belief in providing dental health care in the Free Clinic supports the GFCFS vision of providing holistic care to patients.  Dr. Murphy’s support of his dental patients goes above and beyond.  For 16 years, Dr. Murphy has driven 35 miles from his office to the clinic to volunteer.  In 2015, over 400 low-income patients had access to dental care through the clinic he founded. To ensure that GFCFS can serve as many patients as possible, Dr. Murphy recruits his fellow professionals to volunteer.  He has also donated dental equipment and will see patients who have needs beyond the scope of the GFCFS clinic in his private office. Dr. Murphy reaches more than just GFCFS patients.  He sees patients in his own office without charging through “Donated Dental,” Virginia Dental Association’s program to serve indigent patients and the Mechanicsville Free Clinic. He sees Powhatan patients through a collaborative effort with GFCFS Free Clinic.  Dr. Murphy gives back to the community and to his profession.  Our patients benefit from the many hours he volunteers, and so do the staff and other volunteers.  He instructs staff and volunteers in dental procedures.  He even offers opportunities to staff and volunteers to observe at his dental office.  What are clients saying about Dr. Murphy?  “Dr. Murphy is very patient and kind.  He makes sure I’m not in pain.”  What is GFCFS saying about Dr. Murphy?  “Dr. Murphy is Goochland’s Hometown Hero!” For more information about the dental program that Dr. Murphy founded, please go to www.GoochlandFreeClinicAndFamilyServices.org.  You can find out more about Dr. Murphy’s practice at www.hanoveroralsyrgery.com.