Patient Story: Nola and John Lopez

John and Nola Lopez met in Idaho and traveled around the country after they got married. They settled down and bought property in La Pine in 1982. John grew up in Mexico and Nola on a quiet ranch on the Oregon Coast. Nola worked as a CNA until she retired, while John started his own business cutting and selling firewood, which he did until he was 83.

In 2004 John began having health problems and neither of them could afford insurance. They read about VIM in the newspaper and gave the clinic a call and were relieved when he was able to be seen. He was diagnosed with COPD and was referred to specialists and got the treatment he needed. It was comforting to know that if things got desperate, he could receive high-quality care.

John left home when he was young and didn’t have contact with his family, but over the years VIM became like a family to him and Nola. He always appreciated the love, dedication, consideration, and care he received at the clinic.

John passed away in 2021 at the age of 92, but up to this day, his wife Nola still brings special gifts to the clinic. Everyone was a friend to John and Nola described him as a “walking encyclopedia.” He loved to chat about keeping healthy, which many of our staff and volunteers remember fondly. Nola said she still loves VIM and is forever grateful for the care we provided and knows we’ll continue to have a positive impact on people’s lives as we did with her and John.