Annual Conference

November 15-17, 2026 | Westin Richmond

Many Paths, One Purpose, Better Together: Strengthening the Safety Net
Building clinic sustainability, deepening partnerships, and advancing care through collaboration.

As healthcare challenges continue to grow, strengthening the safety net requires collective action and cross-sector collaboration. Embracing the principle of many paths, one purpose, this conference creates the space for shared learning, innovative problem-solving, and strategic partnership-building that help clinics and their communities thrive. With a theme of Many Paths, One Purpose, Better Together: Strengthening the Safety Net, we’ll be convening leaders from Virginia’s network of free and charitable clinics, healthcare organizations, community partners, policymakers, funders, and advocates to share best practices, strengthen relationships, and advance innovative solutions. At a time when many Virginians face potential loss of coverage due to the expiration of enhanced ACA premium tax credits and upcoming Medicaid changes under H.R. 1, these conversations are more important than ever.

As the premier educational and networking meeting for Virginia’s free and charitable clinics, their safety net partners, and healthcare advocates, this event is an opportunity to learn, share, and connect with peers from across the Commonwealth. 
 

Conference Schedule

Sunday, November 15

3:00pm - 4:00pm: Area Clinic Tours (space is limited, advanced registration required)
While on your way to Richmond for the conference, attendees have the opportunity to visit several VAFCC member clinics.

• The Lucy Corr Dental Clinic provides free, essential dental care to qualifying uninsured and underinsured seniors aged 65 and older in Chesterfield and the greater Richmond area with the dedication of volunteer dentists, students from VCU Dental School, and other local training programs and schools.
• Founded in 2008, the Free Clinic of Powhatan provides high-quality healthcare services to eligible low-income and uninsured adults including primary medical care, dental treatment, women's health services, and behavioral counseling through dedicated staff and volunteer professionals.
• CrossOver Healthcare Ministry provides high-quality, compassionate healthcare to uninsured and Medicaid patients in Central Virginia. With two locations, in Richmond and Henrico County, CrossOver provides primary care for adults and children, as well as in-house dental, vision, mental health, and pharmacy services. 

5:30pm - 7:30pm: Conference Registration

5:30pm - 6:00pm: VAFCC Orientation & Refresher (VAFCC Member Clinics only) 
Join the VAFCC Director of Membership Support for an interactive overview of current member benefits, services, and expectations. This is a great space to ask questions, discover underutilized resources, and connect with 

6:30pm - 7:30pm: Welcome Reception, Special Interest Group Discussions, & Exhibits presented by Virginia Association of Health Plans
Catch up with longtime colleagues and make new acquaintances during an evening welcome reception featuring host bar and heavy appetizers. We're also offering special interest group discussions for attendees to exchange practical ideas and build meaningful connections with your peers and partners on a variety of topics.
 

Monday, November 16

7:00am - 6:00pm: Conference Registration

7:30am - 9:00am: Breakfast & Featured Speaker presented by Sentara Health Plans

• 8:20am: State Priorities for Accessible Healthcare with Delegate Rodney Willett

A champion of Virginia's free and charitable clinics, Rodney Willett is a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and serves as the Chair of the Joint Commission on Health Care and Chair of the House Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care. He is committed to improving access to healthcare for all Virginians and his remarks will focus on legislative priorities, policy changes, and state-level initiatives impacting healthcare access and Virginia's safety-net clinics. 

8:00am - 6:00pm: Exhibits & Conference Lounge 
Enjoy dedicated space for networking and connecting with each other and our industry supporters and vendors joining us this year as exhibitors, scroll down to learn more.   

9:00am - 10:00am: Breakout One

• Let’s START! Screening The At-Risk Together for Colorectal Cancer with Brandi Martin, HCB2 (Expanding Care Track) 
  • Since 2014, Hitting Cancer Below the Belt (HCB2) has been dedicated to improving health equity by providing colorectal cancer screening access to underserved populations, which has led to over 13,250 screenings. This session highlights how HCB2 collaborates with safety-net clinics to establish sustainable screening initiatives for low-income and uninsured individuals. Attendees will learn actionable strategies for integrating colorectal cancer screening into routine free clinic primary care, leveraging community outreach partnerships, and driving effective preventive care initiatives within safety-net clinic settings.
• More Ways to Give: Navigating Giving Vehicles for Your Clinic with Abby Webster & Rachel Kimble, The Curtis Group (Fund Development Track)
  • Today’s donors have a variety of options for how they support the organizations they care about. Understanding giving vehicles can open the door to new opportunities for support and help donors make gifts in ways that work best for them. This interactive session will break down most common giving vehicles and provide practical ways clinics can incorporate them into their fundraising. Attendees will learn how to recognize opportunities, confidently discuss giving options with donors, and ensure their organizations are prepared to accept different types of gifts without needing to be a tax or financial expert. 
• Setting AI Guardrails for Your Clinic with Joe Burak, TRANSiT Strategy & Analytics (AI and Technology Track)
  • While AI is often pitched as the solution, adopting it requires clear operational and security boundaries. This session covers practical essentials for clinic leaders: where Virginia clinics stand today, data privacy risks when using AI tools, who holds decision-making authority, and what policies belong in writing. Participants will leave with a practical, one-page policy draft to customize and present to their board.

10:00am - 10:30am: Networking Break presented by Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association

10:30am - 11:30am: Breakout Two

• ​More Than Medications: Expanding the Role of the Pharmacist to Advance Wellness and Improve Patient Outcomes with Keri Sword, Brock Hughes Medical Center (Expanding Care Track)
  • While pharmacists are traditionally associated with dispensing prescriptions, medication management is only a small fraction of what they bring to a primary care setting. This session explores how expanding the role of the pharmacist transforms patient care through a dedicated focus on wellness, education, and clinical support. By serving as wellness coordinators, chronic care management providers, diabetes educators, and Test-To-Treat specialists, pharmacists become indispensable members of the primary care team. Attendees will learn how leveraging team-based care can broaden access to health services, promote preventive care, and significantly improve long-term patient outcomes.
• From Zoomers to Boomers: How to Reach & Retain Every Generation of Donors with James Goalder, Bloomerang (Fund Development Track)
  • Every generation, from Gen Z to Baby Boomers, engages with nonprofits differently. They're all ready to support causes they believe in, but what inspires them to choose yours? Drawing on Bloomerang's Generational Giving Report and new findings from the 2026 Giving Signals Report, this session highlights the generational trends shaping donor behavior today. You'll leave with practical tips to strengthen your fundraising strategy, build more meaningful donor relationships, and spark lasting generosity from donors of every age. 
• Practical Tools for Daily Clinic Operations: Hands-On Workshop with Joe Burak, TRANSiT Strategy & Analytics (AI and Technology Track)
  • Attendees should bring their own devices to this interactive session, so they can work through real-world scenarios using materials from a composite Virginia clinic. Gain hands-on experience using free and low-cost AI tools for common administrative, communications, and writing tasks, while learning prompt techniques to consistently generate accurate results. Participants will leave with completed work and a repeatable process to implement immediately.

11:30am - 1:00pm: Lunch & Featured Speaker by Humana Healthy Horizons

• 12:30pm: Virginia's Health Commissioner on Advancing Public Health & Clinic Collaborations

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B. Cameron Webb is an internal medicine physician, attorney, and public health expert working at the intersection of health and social justice. A champion for health equity, Dr. Webb has a wealth of experience in public health policy and direct patient care. He received a degree in interdisciplinary studies at UVA, a Doctor of Medicine from Wake Forest School of Medicine, completed residency at New-York Presbyterian Hospital, and received a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.    

1:00pm - 2:00pm: Breakout Three

• Zero Suicide: Suicide Prevention and Care within a Free and Charitable Clinic with Charlie Davis, Health Brigade (Expanding Care Track)
  • In this session, we will explore the implementation of the Zero Suicide framework in a Free and Charitable Clinic in Richmond VA. We will define the model within the context of a small, integrated service agency. We will explore clinical and workflow integration and the impact of the model on workforce and culture. We will highlight lessons learned when applying this comprehensive approach to suicide prevention within a healthcare organization. 
• Practical & Ethical AI Strategies for Fundraising with Brian Chandler, Commonwealth PR (Fund Development Track) 
  • ​This session explores how free and charitable clinics can responsibly leverage artificial intelligence to strengthen donor engagement and revenue. Attendees will learn to use AI for grant research and writing, strengthen donor and website messaging and make marketing and communications more efficient. Through real-world demonstrations and case studies, attendees will leave with ideas and tools they can begin using immediately and responsibly.
• Beyond the Hype: Integrating AI into Clinic Workflows & Team Operations with Joe Burak, TRANSiT Strategy & Analytics (AI and Technology Track)
  • ​Experimenting with AI is simple but embedding it into daily clinic operations requires a strategic approach. This session will focus on identifying recurring tasks across administration and operations to safely streamline processes and reduce administrative burden. Attendees will learn how to document AI workflows to protect against staff turnover and address team skepticism with practical risk-management strategies. Participants will leave with a clear roadmap for where AI belongs in their clinic and how to get started.

2:00pm - 2:30pm: Networking Break presented by Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association

2:30pm - 3:00pm - Virginia Deputy Secretary of Health on Virginia's Response to H.R. 1 

​Lauryn Walker​'s career spans both state and federal policy. She has served as the Interim Chief of Population Health and Senior Advisor to the Chief Actuary and Chief Strategy Officer for North Carolina Medicaid, where she advanced efforts to integrate behavioral and physical health. Lauryn also served as the Senior Advisor to the Chief Deputy and Chief Health Economist at Virginia Medicaid. She holds a BSN and MPH from Johns Hopkins University and a PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University.  

3:00pm - 4:00pm: General Session presented by Americares

Navigating Our New Reality Together: Perspectives on H.R. 1 with Sean Connaughton, VHHA President & CEO, Tracy Douglas, VCHA CEO, and Doug Gray, VAHP Executive Director 
The healthcare landscape is shifting rapidly under the weight of major federal policy changes. As significant legislation like H.R. 1 takes effect, the ripple effects touch every corner of care delivery, from health system emergency departments and Managed Care Organization risk pools to Federally Qualified Health Centers and free and charitable clinics. This panel brings together key leadership perspectives from across Virginia's healthcare continuum to analyze how emerging policy shifts impact access, coverage, and financial sustainability. Attendees will gain an understanding of shared operational pressure points, explore aligned strategies, and discover how partnerships can help blunt the impact of federal changes to protect both community health and system stability.

4:30pm - 5:30pm: RxPartnership Clinic Recognition (Invite Only)

6:30pm - 9:00pm: Dine Around 
Enjoy a meal out together at an area restaurant or stay on-site and dine in at the Westin. 
 

Tuesday, November 17

7:00am - 11:00am: Conference Registration

7:30am - 8:45am: Breakfast presented by Sentara Health Plans

8:00am - 11:00am: Conference Lounge & Exhibits
Enjoy dedicated space for networking and connecting with each other and our industry supporters and vendors joining us this year as exhibitors, scroll down to learn more.   

9:00am - 10:30am: Closing Plenary presented by VA-SORH

What to Expect with Coming Federal Healthcare Changes
This session will feature key leaders from VDSS and DMAS who will share critical insights into upcoming federal policy changes and their cascading impacts across Virginia's healthcare ecosystem. Speakers will address how these shifts affect safety-net providers, community partners, and vulnerable populations, highlighting concrete operational strategies to navigate these transitions. We will also hear from Virginia's Rural Health Transformation Program on how federal funding is helping to strengthen and modernize healthcare delivery in rural and underserved Virginia communities.

10:30am - 11:00am: Networking Break presented by Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association

11:00am - 1:00pm: VAFCC Business Meeting (VAFCC Member Clinics only) 
Annual meeting of the membership providing the opportunity to bring members together to share knowledge, make decisions, and to advance our work. 

1:00pm - 3:00pm: VAFCC Board Meeting (VAFCC Board only)
 

Registration:

Conference registration is open now through November 6, 2026. All registration needs to be paid in full and in advance. Scholarships are available for full member clinics in good standing (application available in the VAFCC Resource Library). Refunds will only be issued through October 16, 2026, with a $15 service charge. 

VAFCC Member Clinic Registration:

• $325 - Early Bird Member Registration (through October 9)
• $350 - Standard Member Registration (after October 9)

**Must be logged in to access reduced member pricing
 

Non-Member Registration:

• $400 - Early Bird Non-Member Registration (through October 9)
• $425 - Standard Non-Member Registration (after October 9) 

COVID Safety & Crowd Release:
By submitting this registration, I affirm I have read and agree to the following terms:

• You acknowledge that there is a risk of exposure to COVID-19 that could result in illness, disability or death and agree to release and hold harmless VAFCC, its employees, officers, and vendors from and against all claims of damages and liability resulting from exposure to COVID-19 at this event.
• Attendees at any in-person VAFCC event are required to confirm a negative COVID rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of the event. Additionally, 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 all media in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with any VAFCC events.
 

Accommodation:

The event will be held at the Westin Richmond located at 6631 West Broad Street. An innovative and personalized hotel that offers holistic and thoughtful amenities not often seen in modern hotels, the Westin is located conveniently near I64 between Downtown Richmond and Short Pump.

Our rate is $172 per night plus taxes and includes parking as well as Wi-Fi in both guest rooms and meeting spaces. The room reservation deadline is October 26, 2026, and all attendees need to secure their own hotel reservations by using this online link or calling 1-888-627-7786 and referencing the VAFCC block.


 

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The VAFCC serves as the organized voice of the Commonwealth's healthcare safety net, leading the way to a Virginia where all people have access to comprehensive, quality healthcare. We are excited to offer you the opportunity to partner in our work to support Virginia’s network of free and charitable clinics and those who fall through the gaps. 

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