KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - It's been months in the making, but the Free Clinic of Oak Ridge is just a week and half away from opening its doors.

And even though they're not taking patients, they are taking appointments - and fulfilling a huge need in the community.

The phone rings off the hook at the Free Clinic of Oak Ridge. But the clinic is not yet open. There's still lots to do to get the facility up and running.

Volunteers sweeping the floors will be replaced by doctors and nurses who will give patients general checkups, for free.

"There is such a great need to do this. With the lack of doctors, lack of medical facilities, they are forced to come to us," says Sharon Cabe, a volunteer for the clinic.

She came in on her day off to help get the clinic ready for the first patients on January 15.

"Seeing this need first hand, it's hard not to be a part of it."

She's an ER nurse and will coordinate the clinic's nursing staff.

"Without medical access, their problems wouldn't be attended to and their illness would progress," says Cabe.

Patients who make appointments cannot have health insurance, must live in Anderson County, and must show proof of income. Fridays and Saturdays in January are almost booked.

"People in this area really need to see doctors," says Melinda Brown, a volunteer with the clinic.

And the clinic needs them as well. Primary Care Physicians are needed to volunteer a few hours each week.

(Melinda) "This is an opportunity for all of us to give back to the community of Oak Ridge that has given so much to all of us," says Brown.

And until the doors open, volunteers will be standing by to make sure patients in need, have an appointment.

For now, the clinic is open Fridays from 9:00 - 12:00 and 2:00 - 5:00 and Saturdays from 9:00 - 12:00. The first day they will start seeing patients is January 15.

Volunteers are taking appointments now. They will not take walk-ins or medical emergencies, so you need to make an appointment. Call 483-3904 to schedule yours.

The clinic is located at 320 Roberstville Rd. in a space off of the Trinity Methodist Church.

If you would like to volunteer your time, you are asked to contact Dr. Tonya Vargas at vmom@aol.com.