Charlottesville Free Clinic

The Charlottesville Free Clinic is strong. In January, Meghan Hinger passed away. Meghan was a force of nature—deeply dedicated to our patients and instrumental in building a clinic that prioritizes compassionate, high-quality care. To honor Meghan’s unwavering commitment, a beautiful painting, donated by The Arc Studio, will soon hang in our Medical Clinic. It will serve as a lasting tribute to her compassion and the countless lives she touched. While we deeply feel her absence, Meghan's spirit continues to inspire us. Her dedication strengthens our resolve to be an open door to health care to all of our neighbors in need. To our donors, volunteers, and community partners: your support makes this possible. Your financial donations, donations of time and of expertise help us provide essential health care to 3,000 patients. We are deeply grateful for your trust and commitment to our mission. Meghan’s impact will always be part of who we are, and because of her—and because of you—we will keep that door open, today and always. #CharlottesvilleFreeClinic #StrongerTogether #OpenDoorToHealthCare #HealthcareWithoutBarriers

The Charlottesville Free Clinic mourns the loss of a great leader, Meghan Hinger. She was compassionate, motivated, and always put others first. Meghan’s passion for equitable healthcare was evident in every aspect of her work. She helped thousands of people in our community, and we will always remember her. We invite you to join us in honoring Meghan’s life and her immeasurable impact by visiting her obituary at https://lnkd.in/eJe9QnEW There, you can leave a memory or share a photograph in tribute to her legacy.

The Virginia Health Care Foundation recently awarded more than $1.5 million to help fund Medication Assistance Caseworkers (MACs) in clinics who help uninsured patients obtain free and discounted prescription medicines. Grant recipients included BROCK HUGHES MEDICAL CENTER, Charlottesville Free Clinic, CHESAPEAKE CARE FREE CLINIC, CrossOver Healthcare Ministry, Health Brigade, formerly Fan Free Clinic, Ledwith-Lewis Free Clinic, Orange County Free Clinic, The Dr. Terry Sinclair Health Clinic, and Western Tidewater Free Clinic. “Virginians can’t manage their illnesses without the medicines to treat their chronic diseases. For those who are uninsured and unable to afford their prescriptions, the free medicines available via the brand named drug companies’ Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) are often a lifesaver,” said Deborah Oswalt, VHCF’s Executive Director. https://lnkd.in/eW-WkBbK

Last month, the Charlottesville Free Clinic proudly participated in the Know Your Numbers: Men’s Health Day event, helping connect men in need of routine medical care with vital resources. During the event, nearly 70% of the men tested had elevated A1c levels, underscoring the critical need for accessible and equitable healthcare in our community. This event was a powerful reminder of the role the Free Clinic plays as a healthcare safety net, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need. We’re committed to continuing our mission of providing free, high-quality healthcare to those who need it most. #MensHealth #CommunityHealth #CharlottesvilleFreeClinic #KnowYourNumbers #AccessibleHealthcare #EquityInHealthcare #OpenDoorToHealthcare

We were thrilled to welcome the Delta Dental Foundation staff for a tour of our new dental clinic location. Delta Dental is not only a dental insurance provider but also a foundation that supports organizations like the Charlottesville Free Clinic. During their visit, they got a firsthand look at our unique approach—providing medical, dental, and pharmacy services all under one roof. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our new space and the vital care we offer to our patients every day. Thank you to Delta Dental of Virginia for your continued support and commitment to improving access to healthcare in our community! #DeltaDentalFoundation #CharlottesvilleFreeClinic #CommunityHealth #DentalCare #SupportAndImpact

The Charlottesville Free Clinic is proud to serve as a vital training ground for students aspiring to become medical providers. We recently had the pleasure of hosting students from the UVA School of Medicine as part of their summer orientation. During their hour-long visit to our medical clinic, the students met with Meghan Hinger, our Director of Clinical Operations, and Dr. Marcel Durieux, a longtime volunteer and supporter. They gained valuable insights into our patient population, the acute and chronic conditions we manage, and the essential role we play in helping patients access healthcare. This visit was a fantastic opportunity for the students to see firsthand the vital services we provide to our community. We are excited to be part of their journey as they prepare to make a meaningful impact in the world of healthcare. #MedicalEducation #HealthcareTraining #CharlottesvilleFreeClinic #UVA #FutureHealthcareProviders #CommunityHealth #MedicalStudents

We're excited to launch our New Eyes program, transforming lives by providing glasses to patients. Patients can order glasses on the same day as their optometry appointments. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing free medical, dental, and pharmacy services to uninsured and underinsured individuals in the greater Charlottesville area. In just three months, we’ve enrolled twelve patients, each experiencing remarkable success. The New Eyes program is one way we’re building a healthier future for Charlottesville. When our neighbors thrive, our community thrives. Your support makes these life-changing services possible. Thank you for being part of our journey and helping us make a lasting impact. #NewEyesProgram #CharlottesvilleFreeClinic #CommunityHealth #VisionCare #Optometry

In the heart of New York, Dr. Alan Binder began his journey in medicine as a cardiologist. Fast-forward through decades of working in healthcare, and now, he finds himself at the heart of a very different kind of community—the Charlottesville Free Clinic. After retiring from a successful career in private practice in New York and a stint in UVA Cardiology shortly after moving to Virginia, Dr. Binder sought a new purpose. He began working with students at the University of Virginia School of Medicine through the iSERVE initiative, which operates here at the Charlottesville Free Clinic. Dr. Binder joined forces with medical students to tackle healthcare disparities head-on, eventually leading to his volunteering outside of iSERVE. Every week, he lends his expertise to provide compassionate care to those in need, free from the burdens of insurance bureaucracy. “At the Free Clinic, I can just take care of patients," Dr. Binder shares. His background in cardiology may have led him to the clinic, but Dr. Binder's impact extends far beyond treating heart-related issues. He is a compassionate and enthusiastic doctor and volunteer that brings the same level of expertise and care to each patient he treats. "It's been fun – there's no other word I can use for it," he reflects. #VolunteerAppreciation #CharlottesvilleFreeClinic #CommunityHealth #GivingBack #HealthcareHeroes #UVAiSERVE

The Charlottesville Free Clinic is grateful for the over 700 healthcare professionals, students, and community members who volunteer with us, contributing more than 14,000 hours of service each year. We can't wait for this fall, when we welcome many new volunteers and welcome back some of our returning ones. Thank you so much to our dedicated volunteers who have been with us this summer too! Back in April, we had a wonderful volunteer celebration and captured some very cute pictures of our amazing volunteers. We are so excited to share these memories and look forward to making new ones with our incoming volunteers. Thank you to everyone who supports our mission and dedicates their time and skills to make a difference in our community. Together, we continue to keep the door to healthcare open. #VolunteerAppreciation #CharlottesvilleFreeClinic #CommunityHealth #GivingBack #HealthcareHeroes #ThrowbackThursday

We are happy to share that we have earned a 2024 Gold Rating from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) Quality Standards Program! This rating highlights our organization’s dedication to providing quality care. We’re proud to join in the NAFC’s mission of building healthy communities for all through quality, equitable, accessible healthcare. #CommunityHealth #EquitableAccess #NAFCGoldRating #CharlottesvilleFreeClinic