Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic Named a 2025 “Angel” by South Carolina Secretary of State November 20, 2025

Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic (BIFMC) has been honored as one of South Carolina’s 2025 “Angels,” a prestigious recognition awarded to nonprofit organizations demonstrating exemplary service and responsible financial stewardship. Secretary of State Mark Hammond announced the honorees on Tuesday, acknowledging 10 charities whose impact and efficiency stand out across the state.

“The annual Angel Awards, established in 1998, celebrate nonprofits that have given so much to our great state,” Secretary Hammond said. Recipients are selected based on criteria including at least 80% of expenditures directed toward program services, a minimum of three years of operation, significant volunteer engagement, and limited reliance on government funding. Public nominations and financial reports submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office help determine the honorees.

Representatives from all 10 organizations attended a ceremony to receive certificates and public recognition. This year’s Angels include AccessHealth Horry, Inc., Bluffton Community Soup Kitchen, Ezekiel Ministries, Inc., Family Promise of York County, Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity, Rabbit Sanctuary, Ride to Work Ministry, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic, and United Way of Pickens County.

For BIFMC, the award highlights a journey that began in 2008 in a small building on Maybank Highway in Johns Island. Today, the clinic operates from a 7,000-square-foot facility with seven exam rooms, modern medical equipment, and a dedicated team that includes 11 staff members working alongside 120 volunteers. Together, they provide approximately 125 free patient visits each week to uninsured adults in the Tri-County area, with financial eligibility capped at 299% of the federal poverty level. Since its inception, BIFMC has delivered more than 73,000 medical visits, supporting the health and well-being of mothers, fathers, neighbors, and friends across the community.

“Our mission is to provide a comprehensive medical home that promotes dignity, wellness, and health for uninsured adults,” says Clinic Medical Director, Dr. David Peterseim. “This Angel Award recognizes every volunteer, clinician, donor, and founder who has contributed to building and sustaining this clinic through compassion and expertise.”

The clinic’s multispecialty team includes 22 primary care physicians and 23 specialists who donate their expertise, allowing BIFMC to operate on an annual budget of approximately $1.5 million entirely without government support. Funding comes from grants, fundraising events, and generous donors committed to the belief that healthcare is a basic human right.

Looking ahead, the clinic plans to expand its services further by recruiting additional volunteer clinicians and adding diagnostic equipment to catch silent illnesses early, directly on-site.

Dr. Peterseim expressed gratitude for the recognition. “We are humbled to accept this Angel Award and remain committed to serving our community with high-quality, compassionate care for years to come.”

Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic is a free clinic in Charleston, SC, that provides free medical care to eligible patients, just like any family practitioner or internist. The Free Clinic serves uninsured adults living at or below 299% of the federal poverty level who live or work across Charleston, Berkeley or Dorchester counties. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.