Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics

06/12/2026

“What began as an opportunity to access timely lab results quickly became an essential partnership that eliminated costs for our patients, dramatically reduced our clinic costs, and improved continuity of care,” shares Trey Darnell, Executive Director.

Heart to Heart International and Friends In Need Health Center are celebrating one year of collaboration on a laboratory program restuling in 980 lab tests for more than 700 patients in the last year. The point-of-care laboratory allowed the clinic to increase it's average monthly number of tests by fivefold. On-site testing provides faster diagnoses and treatment plans, reducing delays and transportation burdens. In one recent case, a patient was able to receive immediate treatment for group A streptococcus undetectable to the naked eye right before the clinic closed for the day.

A point-of-care lab through healthcare nonprofit Heart to Heart International and medical clinic Friends in Need Health Center, Inc. is celebrating increased access to care.

06/11/2026

Last summer, Mr. U walked into the Ledwith Lewis Free Clinic in Tappahannock facing a dual crisis: out-of-control diabetes and a severe, chronic cough. That cough turned out to be tuberculosis. Acting quickly in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, the clinic team placed Mr. U under immediate care and treatment. Today, the transformation is incredible. A hardworking local landscaper, Mr. U has gained back his strength, his energy has fully returned, and his smile completely lights up the room every time he walks through our doors.

Stories like Mr. U’s remind us why accessible, compassionate healthcare matters. When we remove barriers to care, we restore dignity, protect public health, and ensure that Virginians can keep working and providing for their families. Free and charitable clinics are the safety net that catches people before a health crisis becomes a tragedy, making our entire community stronger and healthier.

06/10/2026

Last week, the Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics was pleased to participate in the Virginia Chamber of Commerce's Healthcare Conference where CEO Rufus Phillips participated on the marquee panel, Once in a Generation: Navigating Healthcare's Next Era.

Healthcare in Virginia and throughout the United States is entering a period of profound transformation. Beginning in 2027, Virginia’s healthcare economy is projected to face significant financial and structural pressures that will impact providers, employers, insurers, and community organizations alike. Panelists provided their insights and discussed what this moment means for the future of healthcare in the Commonwealth.

06/09/2026

We love to see the collaboration to increase access to care! This month the Virginia Dental Association Foundation, which exists to help underserved Virginians get the dental services they need, is partnering with VCU Dentistry and the Bland Ministry Center on a Mission of Mercy event coming to the Wytheville Meeting Center. This dental pop-up will provide cleanings, fillings, extractions, and root canals - all at no cost and on a first-come, first-served basis.

📍 333 Community Blvd, Wytheville, VA 24382
🗓️ June 26-27, 2026
ℹ️ More Info: 804-620-4032
🔗https://www.vdaf.org/wytheville-mom-2026.html

06/08/2026

Big news! The Health Wagon's CEO, Dr. Teresa Tyson, was recently named Rural Health Practitioner of the Year by the National Rural Health Association in recognition of her extraordinary impact on healthcare delivery in Southwest Virginia and across rural Appalachia.

A family nurse practitioner with more than 30 years of service, Teresa continues to provide direct patient care while designing innovative systems that eliminate barriers for rural populations. Under her guidance, services have expanded from basic mobile care into a fully integrated healthcare model that includes primary care, behavioral health, chronic disease management, dental and vision services, pharmacy, telehealth, diagnostics, specialty care, and programs addressing social determinants of health.

https://heraldcourier.com/news/local/article_9b50efa0-26ba-495a-a6b7-f8255adf8779.html

06/05/2026

Exciting news for the Loudoun Free Clinic which was recently named a 2026 100WomenStrong of Loudoun County, Virginia grantee! This funding will support the clinic's culturally-competent case management work, which works to connect patients with specialty medical care and other essential services and resources. "We are grateful to this giving circle of generous, concerned community leaders for supporting our most vulnerable neighbors," shares Executive Director Ashley Hunnicutt.

https://www.loudounnow.com/giving_back/100womenstrong-awards-51-grants-surpasses-6m-in-total-giving/article_5b153571-0928-49e4-a971-9fe3a6c39124.html

06/04/2026

The Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics' membership continues to grow with the addition of a new associate clinic member, Melrose Plaza. Located in Roanoke, it is a first-of-its-kind community resource center that represents a new model for addressing the social determinants of health in historically underserved communities.

This organization joins a membership that now totals 72 free and charitable clinics across the state working towards a Virginia where all people have access to comprehensive, quality healthcare.

https://www.vafreeclinics.org/blog_home.asp?Display=128

06/03/2026

Is your clinic ready for the unexpected? Join us for the final day of the VAFCC's 2026 Virtual Summit on Friday, June 12, for a high-impact track focused on Emergency Preparedness.

Facilitated by the Virginia Healthcare Emergency Management Program (VHEMP) and the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA), these sessions are designed specifically for small and resource-constrained clinics. We’re moving beyond the binder on the shelf to ensure your team can lead with confidence when every second counts. Together, we will ensure the healthcare safety net remains strong and responsive in the face of any challenge.

Learn more: https://www.vafreeclinics.org/event

06/02/2026

The Virginia Department of the Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Division is interested in helping you locate and reclaim dormant or unclaimed funds that have been transferred to the Commonwealth of Virginia. VA Money Search is a free public service designed to assist Virginia residents and since its inception it has successfully reunited over $1.4 billion to the rightful owners.

Unclaimed property can arise from nearly every financial interaction with any company. An account is classified as dormant or unclaimed when the holding company has not had contact with the owner for a specified duration. Examples include inactive bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance policies, proceeds, securities, dividends, refunds, overpayments, deposits, and more.

Get started: https://www.vamoneysearch.gov/

06/01/2026

“We’ve never seen that many people cancel their coverage,” said Keven Patchett, Director of Virginia's Insurance Marketplace as customers have seen costs go up by 75% per month for health insurance. It’s difficult to know where the people who have lost coverage in recent months wind up. At least some free and charitable clinics are seeing an increase — about 6% in the first quarter of the year compared with the same period last year — in the number of people seeking care.

Beginning in 2021, marketplace users benefited from enhanced ACA Premium tax credits, which significantly reduced out-of-pocket costs. But those credits expired at the end of last year. And costs have skyrocketed.