May 21, 2009

VAFC Welcomes Saint James, the Less, 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 Saint James, the Less, Free Clinic at its May 8 meeting in Charlottesville. The clinic operates in the basement of Saint James, the Less, Episcopal Church in Ashland and has two satellite programs in neighboring churches.

"We are pleased to welcome the the Saint James the Less Clinic to the VAFC network of free clinics. This organization provides dedicated and exemplary service to Hanover County,” said Lou Markwith, VAFC Executive Director. “This unique service model focuses on patient service delivery and flexibility of facilities use. Many of our current members have expressed an interest in the way this clinic serves its patients. The site evaluation team was impressed by the success of this all volunteer program.”

Lee Chambers President of the Board of Directors said, “On behalf of the board of directors of Saint James, the Less, Free Clinic let me express our excitement and gratitude at becoming a member of the family of clinics in the Virginia Association of Free Clinics.   We are a young clinic and look forward to the opportunity to learn new and different operational methods and share some of our experiences with other members of the Virginia Association of Free Clinics.  The Board of Directors and all the volunteers that make it possible for Saint James the less Free Clinic to operate in Hanover County are thankful and proud to be part of this valuable association. “ 

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 in Orange, Fincastle, Clincho, Suffolk and Ashland. Based on current applications, the Association 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