May 11, 2009

VAFC Welcomes the Christian Free Clinic of Botetourt

(Glen Allen, VA) – The Virginia Association of Free Clinics (VAFC) announced that its Board of Directors has approved the application for membership of the Christian Free Clinic in Botetourt at its May 8th meeting in Charlottesvelle. The clinic is housed at the Fincastle Baptist Church at 7330 Roanoke Road in Fincastle.

"We are pleased to welcome the Christian Free Clinic of Botetourt to the VAFC network of free clinics. This organization provides dedicated and exemplary service to patients in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia,” said Lou Markwith, VAFC Executive Director. “In two short years, the volunteers and Board have established a solid operation that is serving patients with compassion and concern. The site evaluation team was impressed by the process the clinic as created to serve their patients and the level of community support for the clinic”.

“It will be a privilege to collaborate withother free clinics as a member of the Virginia Association of Free Clinics. I look forward to serving alongsidethose that stand in the gap to meet themedical needsof the uninsured and working poor across our state,” saidJenny Daniels, Executive Director of the Clinic.

Dr. Bob Allen, Board Chair of the clinic and a volunteer medical provider, said about the announcement,”The Christian Free Clinic in Botetourt is grateful to every donor and over 80 active volunteers who have provided a Christian Medical Home to nearly 400 people in Botetourt County. We are honored to be accepted as members of the Virginia Association of Free Clinics.” 

“We are grateful to God who has provided us all the support and volunteers we have had for the last two years since we have opened the Christian Free Clinic in Botetourt.  The Virginia Association of Free Clinics has been helpful to us when we first began our planning stages and ever since. As new members to the VAFC, we are eager to work alongside other clinics that share our goal of helping to care for Virginia’s uninsured patients,” said, Dr. Susanne Voekler, the clinic’s volunteer Medical Director.

The Association has experienced rapid growth in the last two years. The number of patients served has increased by 8.2 % in 2007 to more than 61,000. In 2008 the number of patients increased by 25% to more than 76,500.  The network provided more than 308,000 patient visits and dispensed more than 680,000 prescriptions. The Free Clinics provide $5.50 worth of medical services for each $1 expended.

These efficiencies are possible because of the dedicated support of more than 10,000 volunteers who donated thousands of hours each year.  Since January, the Association has added five new members and expects to continue to grow through 2010. Currently, there are new clinics being established in five communities across the Commonwealth.

Founded in 1993, the VAFC is the oldest Free Clinic association in the U.S. Its mission is to support, strengthen, and advocate for Free Clinics to deliver quality health care services to Virginia’s low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents. More information about the VAFC and Virginia’s Free Clinics is available at www.vafreeclinics.org.

Phone:
(804) 340-3434

Fax:
(804) 340-3435

Email:
lou@vafreeclinics.org