Executive Directors Conference

March 11-13, 2024

The VAFCC's Executive Directors Conference was scheduled for March 11-13, 2024 at the Hotel 24 South in Staunton, Virginia. The premier educational and networking meeting for the leaders of Virginia's free and charitable clinics, this even was an opportunity for attendees to learn, share, and network with their peers from across the state. 
 

Conference schedule

Monday, March 11

6:30pm-7:00pm: New Clinic Leader Meet & Greet 

• Ideal for newer executive directors of long-time member clinics or for executive directors of clinics that are new association members.

7:00pm-9:00pm: Welcome Reception 

• Catch up with longtime colleagues and make new acquaintances during an evening welcome reception featuring full cash bar and heavy appetizers. 

 

Tuesday, March 12

7:30am-9:00am: Breakfast

9:00am-10:00am: Welcome & Introductions

• Dr. Richard Mansfield operates a private dental practice in Waynesboro, VA. He has been an integral part of Augusta Regional Dental Clinic since its inception and has spent many years volunteering in various capacities, including time served as a board member, board president, and volunteer provider of dental services to our patients. His compassion and generosity make him an invaluable partner to the dental clinic and a true pillar of the community. He is a beacon of support and consistently contributes to the clinic through volunteerism, mentorship, and advocacy. His dedication has not only enriched clinic initiatives but has also left a lasting mark on the collective health of the community served.

10:00am-10:30am: Break

10:30am-12:00pm: Emergence and Promise of AI for Free & Charitable Clinics with Greg Surber, Hodges Partnership

• In the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has gone from science-fiction fodder to an effective, accessible solution for many everyday business tasks. But where to start, how to use it, and is it even OK to use it? There’s no shortage of narratives surrounding AI. Some lament it’ll be the end to countless jobs, while others see it as the catalyst for a new, more productive era for every facet of our lives. Like all things though, the answer is somewhere in the middle. For nonprofits, like free and charitable clinics, there are very real possibilities for incorporating AI into a clinic’s day-to-day operations, especially for a space that’s always challenged to do more with less. AI can streamline many of the more mundane and tedious tasks that can bog down staff and cut into time seeing and engaging with patients. The challenge is where to start and figure out an AI strategy that makes sense for your organization. In this session, we will examine the recent emergence of AI and where it is today, ethics and policies to consider when using AI for professional purposes, helpful AI tools and resources for different clinic and patient outreach functions, and best practices for using AI tools.

12:00pm-1:30pm: Lunch 

1:30pm-2:30pm: Hot Seat 

• In this session, show and tell meets shark tank with participants hearing brief "pitches" from multiple presenters with relevant and timely information and opportunities for free clinic programming and operational support. Following these short but stimulating presentations, attendees can network at their leisure with presenters and each other.  
  • Amy Taloma & Henry Lewis, Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority: VHWDA is excited to offer Community Health Worker training and licensing beginning this spring.
  • Tara Quinn, Virginia Dental Association Foundation: Donated Dental Services (DDS) provides free, comprehensive dental care to our most vulnerable patients and can be a resource for special needs patients with extensive dental needs.
  • Robin Gahan & Nick Ide, American Heart Association: HeartCorps can provide the opportunity for AmeriCorps service member placement without the financial responsibility and leverage the integration of additional American Heart Association resources. 
  • Pam Blankenship, VDH's Dental Health Program: Hear about exciting opportunities to build medical-dental integration within your clinic through different programs offered through the state. 
  • Bryan Hudson, VHHA Solutions: Learn how VHHA Solutions can be a resource and partner in overcoming common as well as unique challenges faced by clinics. 

2:30pm-3:00pm: Break

3:00pm-4:00pm: Innovation & Success in Dental Services with Sophie Parson, Augusta Regional Dental Clinic & Jen Webb, Free Clinic of Central Virginia

• In this session, we'll hear from two clinic leaders who have overseen tremendous growth in their capacity to provide oral health care services as a result of rising demand. They'll share success and lessons learned as well as be available for your questions. 

5:00pm-6:00pm: Tour of the Augusta Regional Dental Clinic 
The Augusta Regional Dental Clinic, located in Fishersville, is just a short 15 minute drive from Staunton. Formed in 1993 by community leaders and healthcare professionals from Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County created a volunteer clinic that would offer dignified care to working people without health insurance. Beginning in 2020, the clinic began exclusively focusing on dental and currently provides general dentistry services such as routine exams and cleanings, emergency consultations, fillings, extractions, and some specialists services like root canals and crowns.

6:30pm-9:00pm Dine Around On Your own
Enjoy a meal out together. We’ve suggested several downtown area restaurants to enjoy, many of which are within easy walking distance of our hotel (we recommend making reservations in advance).

• Aioli Mediterranean Tapas
• Baja Bean Co. Restaurante Y Cantina
• Blue Point Seafood Co.
• Byers Street Bistro
• Clocktower Eats & Sweets
• Depot Grill
• Mill Street Grill
• Zyndodoa Restaurant

 

Wednesday, March 13 

8:00am-9:30am: Breakfast

9:30am-11:00am: Leveraging Data for a Cost-Effective, Sustainable Clinic with Tom Morley, Snowflake Consulting

• Data holds the key to unlocking high levels of clinic efficiency and effectiveness. The right numbers give important information about performance and cost that executives can use to recognize and respond to problems early on, identify and capture opportunities to improve, demonstrate outcomes to prospective donors and funders, and project the impacts of planned strategies with confidence. All of these things require meaningful measures and targets, accurate figures, and the ability to analyze and act on what’s there. This session includes “hands-on” work in breakout groups to practice the concepts presented and apply them to their situations while collaborating with and learning from their peers. Attendees will take home a set of metrics appropriate for their clinics, a framework for monitoring performance, and a “to-do list” that will help them bring their data to life.

11:00am-11:30am: Break

11:30am-12:30pm: VAFCC Advocacy & Programming Update

• Updates from the outcome of the past General Assembly session will be provided on key policies and legislation affecting the healthcare safety net. We'll also dive into some exciting work the association is conducting on behalf of our member clinics in the coming months. 

12:30pm-12:45pm: Closing 
 

Registration

Conference registration was set at $250 and closed February 19, 2024. All registrations had to be paid in full and in advance. Scholarships were available for full member clinics in good standing (application available in the VAFCC Member Center). Refunds were issued through February 1, 2024 with a $15 service charge. After that date, no refunds will be issued. 


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.
 

Accommodations

The event was held at the Hotel 24 South located at 24 South Market Street in Staunton, Virginia. Conveniently located downtown, this historic property was restored and stylishly renovated in 2018.  

The rate at the Hotel 24 South was $119 per night, plus taxes and included Wi-Fi in meeting and guest rooms as well as self-parking in city-owned garage attached to the hotel. The room reservation deadline was February 19, 2024. All attendees needed to secure their own hotel reservations by calling for reservations at 866-880-0024 or using the group link below for online group reservations. 

 

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