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Press Release
May 12, 2009 VAFC Welcomes the Western Tidewater Free Clinic as a New Member Clinic (Glen Allen, VA) – The Virginia Association of Free Clinics (VAFC) announced that its Board of Directors has approved the application for membership of the Western Tidewater Free Clinic in Suffolk, Virginia. The clinic has been serving patients in the cities of Suffolk and Franklin and the counties of Southampton and Isle of Wight for two years. "We are pleased to welcome the Western Tidewater Free Clinic to the VAFC network of free clinics. This organization provides dedicated and exemplary service to patients in South Hampton Roads,” said Lou Markwith, VAFC Executive Director. “It has been a pleasure to work with dedicated volunteers and staff and watch their vision develop. Their service model focuses on patient service delivery and rigorous follow-up with every patient. The site evaluation team was impressed by the success of this volunteer/staff program and positive spirit that exists throughout the clinic. ” “The Virginia Association of Free Clinics has been immensely helpful to the Western Tidewater Free Clinic from the very beginning of the effort to start a free clinic. Member clinics shared their considerable knowledge and expertise as well as lessons learned with us,” said Virginia Savage, the clinic’s President. “Since we opened our doors to patients June 21, 2007, the number one goal for the WTFC Board was to become a member of the VAFC. The achievement of the criteria necessary for membership denotes that quality healthcare is being provided to our patients at WTFC.” 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 continued growth 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. |
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Media Contact: L.M. "Lou" Markwith Executive Director Phone: Fax: Email: |
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