Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics

The Free Clinic of Central Virginia recently teamed up Centra Health to raise awareness and educate the public for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Their annual Strollin' Through the Colon event invites participants to walk through a life-sized inflatable colon, offering an engaging way to reduce stigma while underscoring the importance of cancer screenings. Did you know that... ??Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the U.S. among men and women combined. Yet, it's highly preventable through regular screenings. ??Each year, about 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. ??Screenings help find warning signs of colon and rectal cancer so you can start treatment. ??Current guidelines recommend starting screenings at age 45, but discussing your personal risk factors with your primary care provider is important to determine the best screening schedule.

Over the weekend, Augusta Regional Dental Clinic hosted its Dentalpalooza 2025, a two-day free oral health clinic focused on providing dental care to uninsured residents in the community. Made possible by dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors, the clinic provided over 100 uninsured patients with much-needed cleanings, fillings, and extractions that were valued at over $15,000. https://lnkd.in/eV2dde2b

The Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics was pleased to hold the 2025 Executive Directors Conference last week in Winchester at the George Washington Hotel. Attendees learned, shared, and networked with their peers from across the state as well as toured the The Dr. Terry Sinclair Health Clinic. Many thanks to supporting conference sponsor Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield-Medicaid Health Plans, Virginia State Office of Rural Health, and Valley Health. We had a wonderful time recharging and reconnecting with each other!

Many thanks to Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation for its recent generosity to many of our safety net dental clinic members including Arlington Free Clinic, BLAND MINISTRY CENTER AND DENTAL CLINIC, Bradley Free Clinic, Charlottesville Free Clinic, CrossOver Healthcare Ministry, Fauquier Free Clinic, Free Clinic of Powhatan, HELP, Inc., and Northern Neck - Middlesex Free Health Clinic. This is its largest-ever total grant award distribution of $950,000 all focused on improving oral health to uninsured or Medicaid. https://lnkd.in/e6K7g-FC

The Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics is excited to announce our newest supporting partnership with ERA Group - North America, a company that for more than 30 years has helped thousands of clients find extra cash flow and improve operational efficiency. through specialized expertise, real-time industry benchmark data, and practical insider knowledge for dozens of supplier industries. https://usc.eragroup.com/ "ERA Group is thrilled to sponsor the VAFCC, recognizing the essential role the member clinics play in delivering primary and preventive care to underserved communities. We know that every available dollar directly enhances your capacity to bridge healthcare gaps and strengthen these communities, ensuring resources are used effectively. We are excited to partner with the VAFCC to maximize every dollar’s impact on community health," shared Dan O'Connor, Consulting Partner.

?? Don't miss out ?? Register now to learn how 3RNET's powerful platform can help your team recruit healthcare providers and professionals for rural communities. Presented by the Virginia State Office of Rural Health, this virtual session will feature: ? Hands-on Demo – See the platform in action! ??? ? Recruitment Strategies – 3RNet supports rural hiring. ?? ? Free Access – VA-SORH covers this service! ?? https://lnkd.in/eBjTaYkA

Following the conclusion of the 2025 General Assembly, we applaud legislators for including in the amended FY25-FY26 state budget an increase of $500,000 annually beginning in FY26 to support free and charitable clinics’ delivery of health care services to Virginia’s uninsured. This additional funding will help clinics defray a small portion of the costs associated with providing high-quality, integrated healthcare services (medical, dental, behavioral health, etc.) to a growing number of vulnerable patients throughout Virginia. On behalf of our member free and charitable clinics, the VAFCC wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Del. Rodney Willett and Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg who served as chief patrons of our budget amendment in the House and Senate, respectively, and whose strong advocacy was essential to its success. We now urge Governor Youngkin to support this critical funding as he acts on the amended budget passed by the GA.

Join us in welcoming Erin Faust as the new Executive Director of Crossroads Medical Mission in Bristol. Erin has worked with the clinic for 15 years prior to this transition where she's been instrumental in its growth and success. She's stepping in for Cindy Rockett who is retiring after many years of service. With Erin's vast experience, passion, and deep commitment to the mission, we're excited to see what her leadership brings! https://lnkd.in/eqXgdFwg

The Health Wagon is teaming up with UVA Health to bolster rural healthcare to uninsured families via telehealth. “This program is groundbreaking for families in our region,” said Dr. Teresa Owens Tyson, DNP, FNP, FAANP, CEO, shared. “It ensures that patients receive timely care without the need to travel long distances, which is often a challenge in rural communities.” The Health Wagon provide free medical, dental, pharmacy and vision to underserved communities in several Southwest Virginia localities. Clinics around the state have been critical in providing care to under or uninsured Virginians. https://lnkd.in/dcf-4Hts

Several years ago, Donald's life took an unexpected turn when a motorcycle accident resulted in the loss of his leg above his knee at the young age of 20. A local organization had worked with Donald directly following his accident to obtain a prosthetic leg. However, over the years, the prosthesis had become ill-fitting and painful, to the point where he had given up wearing it in favor of crutches. When Donald was referred to his local clinic, he was able to see an orthopedic doctor who volunteered there regularly. The orthopedist quickly assessed Donald's needs and connected him to a professional colleague and a skilled prosthetist who was able to provide Donald with a brand-new prosthetic leg. Just a few weeks later, thanks to his increased mobility and lack of discomfort, Donald secured a job. During a follow-up appointment, the prosthetist surprised Donald with a custom-made running blade used by amputee runners. Donald was a former runner before his accident, and the gesture left him speechless. Donald's care team at the clinic also connected him to a local nonprofit that specializes in assisting individuals with disabilities earn their driving license. Donald passed his DMV road test soon after. Thanks to his clinic and care team, Donald not only gained a new prosthetic limb, but gained increased freedom, independence, and a long-term health home dedicated to meeting his unique healthcare needs. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eDEeAcZQ