Annual Conference

This year’s conference is focused on the healthcare safety almost a year into Medicaid expansion. We’ll share insights and trends on how the changing landscape of healthcare has impacted free clinics -- how they operate, the care they provide, and the type of patients they serve.

Join us in Harrisonburg, Virginia for our 2019 Annual Conference, the premier educational and networking meeting for Virginia’s free and charitable clinics and their safety net partners and advocates. The event will be held at the Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center, situated on the edge of the James Madison University and a five minute walk to downtown. 

This year's attendees can expect to learn, share, and network with peers from across the Commonwealth. Workshop tracks have been developed to accommodate a variety of attendees:

• Patient Care Track - ideal for clinical staff and volunteers, program directors, etc. 
• Operations Track - ideal for clinic executives and board leadership
• Resource Development Track - ideal for development and communication staff and volunteers
• Expanding Care Track - ideal for clinical and administrative staff and volunteers  

We are anticipating over 100 attendees this year and look forward to seeing you there!

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Sunday, November 17  

1:00-4:00pm: Annual Meeting (members only)
5:30-6:30pm: Welcome Reception
6:30-9:00pm: Annual Banquet: A Celebration of the Safety Net  
Our signature event, the annual banquet will celebrate the healthcare safety net – honoring our patients, providers, and partners while also spotlighting the critical role free and charitable clinics have played and continue to play in providing quality health care to Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens.
 

Monday, November 18

7:30-8:45: Breakfast
9:00-10:15am: Breakout Session One

• Hepatitis C: Education & Patient Connection
• Fundraising 101: An Introduction to Successful Philanthropy
• Asking the Source: Why Safety Net Dental Services Are Underutilized

10:45-12:00pm: Breakout Session Two

• Recognizing & Adapting Treatment Plans Based on Social Determinants of Health
• Fundraising 201: Implementing an Integrated Development Plan
• Preventing Diabetes: Implementing a Prediabetes Program at Your Clinic

12:00-1:15pm: Lunch
1:30-2:45pm: Breakout Session Three

• Women's Health in a Free Clinic Setting
• Fundraising 301: The New Frontier of Philanthropy
• Creating a Culture of Advocacy

3:00-5:00pm: General Session
Exploring Race & Class for Inclusive Engagement in Healthcare
Jacqueline Johnson, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities
In an ever-increasing multicultural society, it is critical for healthcare providers to work across lines of difference to support their most vulnerable populations. These individuals’ interactions and experiences are often shaped by biases around race and class. This workshop will provide participants with an opportunity to reflect on their own race and socioeconomic status and consider how both impact workplace and community dynamics. Attendees will walk away with practical tips and approaches to bias-free decision-making and engagement while providing healthcare to underserved communities.
 

Tuesday, November 19 

7:30-8:45: Breakfast
9:00-11:00am: Closing Plenary

Charting the Course for Tomorrow: Insights on the Trends that Matter for Virginia’s Free Clinics and Actionable Steps to Take Today
Matt Thornhill, SIR's Institute for Tomorrow
In this dynamic and eye-opening plenary, futurist and generations expert Matt Thornhill of SIR’s Institute for Tomorrow will provide relevant data and insights on the trends impacting free clinics nationally and here in Virginia. He’ll help us understand the demographic, societal, cultural and political changes we need to navigate in order to serve our public and provide access to the healthcare they need. Plan on seeing what’s coming in a whole new light and be prepared to leave with key action steps to take immediately to get better aligned with the future.
11:00-11:30am: Closing Announcement
 

REGISTRATION

Conference registration includes all three days of training, networking, conference meals and banquet. All attendees will need to secure their own hotel reservations (details below). Registration and room reservation deadline is October 25.  

• $275 - Member-Only Early Bird Registration (Through October 4)
• $300 - Member-Only Late Registration (After October 4)
• $325 - Non-Member Registration
• $190 - Conference Meals & Banquet (for guests of conference attendees)

Group Incentive Reimbursement: In the hopes of having as many of our members join us as possible, VAFCC is pleased to offer a $25 reimbursement for each registration when three or more attendees are registered from the same member clinic. Reimbursement applies to both early bird and standard registration pricing and will be issued following the completion of the event.

Additional Details: All registrations must be paid in full and in advance. Scholarships are available for members in good standing (application available in the VAFCC Member Center). The cut-off date for registration is Friday, October 25, 2019. Refunds will be issued through October 10, 2019 with a $15 service charge per registration. After that date, no refunds will be issued, but you may substitute attendees.

Crowd Release: By registering for this event and by your presence, you consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your registration constitutes your consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media throughout the universe in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with VAFCC events.


*VAFCC member clinics must login on VAFCC website (top, right-hand corner) to access member registration pricing.

 

ACCOMMODATIONS

All attendees need to secure their own hotel reservations. Our rate at the Hotel Madison Shenandoah Valley Conference Center, located at 710 South Main Street in Harrisonburg, is $109 per night, plus tax, and includes parking and Wi-Fi. The room reservation deadline is October 25, 2019. To book, modify, or cancel your reservation, call the Reservation Line at 540-564-0200 and ask for the VA Association of Free and Charitable Clinics Annual Conference. You can also reserve by email at reservations@hotelmadison.com or online at www.hotelmadison.com. Group rate is available for two days pre- and post-event based on availability. Suites are available at the rate of $129, subject to availability. 
 

Event Sponsors:

Event Exhibitors:   

                       


                       

            

Interested in becoming an exhibitor or sponsor? Please contact Rebecca Butler at 804.340.3434 or email at rbutler@vafreeclinics.org to discuss sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities.