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Providing healing and hope to underinsured and uninsured persons |
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Newsletter for |
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GREG SHEEHAN ARTHUR On Friday afternoon, February 23, before several hundred friends of the Free Clinic and the Arthur family, a ceremonial ribbon was cut by three of the grandchildren of Dr. Lewis Angelo Arthur during a formal dedication ceremony for the Greg Sheehan Arthur Dental Suite. The event was supported and catered by The Academy Café and The Depot Grill. Participating by speaking were three founding Board of Director members: President of the Board, Kathryn Mays; the Reverend Dr. Bob Wilson, who gave an invocation and a reflection; and Dr. Augustus Petticolas, who gave fond recollections of Greg Arthur. Dr. Arthur, assisted by his daughter, read some words that he had written for the occasion. The expansion, which is valued at approximately $300,000, has been funded by a donation of $150,000 from Dr. Arthur, a $100,000 equipment grant from Centra Health Foundation in 2005, and a total of $50,000 raised by donations from dental supporters (Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, and lay persons) in Central Virginia, designated donations in memory of Greg Arthur from friends in the community, and even over $200 placed in a collection jar by Free Clinic patients over the past six months. Most importantly, this new state of
the art facility will permit the Free Clinic to double the number of
patient visits for basic dental services in 2007. This will enable it to
serve a higher percentage of uninsured and underinsured residents in
this area. |
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TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
This year, 2007, marks the 20th Anniversary of the Free Clinic of Central Virginia. There will be an entire year of special events scheduled to celebrate this key operating milestone. 20th Anniversary Events Schedule:
Concurrently with these events, the Free Clinic will be announcing a $200,000 one-time Endowment Campaign to “build up” the financial reserves of the clinic while guaranteeing an increased endowment income figure to safeguard and support annual operations. Supporters will be asked to MATCH their normal annual operating gift with a special $20, $200, $2,000, or even $20,000 gift, which will be put aside in the Free Clinic’s permanent Endowment Fund with the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust. This extra support will help the Free Clinic on an annual basis with the interest going into the operating budget and on a long term basis as a guarantee to support the Free Clinic’s continued existence for many years to come. |
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FREE CLINIC REAPPOINTS The Free Clinic of Central Virginia would like to announce the reappointment of the following Board members: Fred Blanchard (Lynchburg), David Gardner (Forest), Juanita Gray (Altavista), Paul Kolodny (Lynchburg), Charles Haney (Appomattox), Kathryn Mays (Lynchburg), Connie Shannon (Lynchburg) and Stuart Turille (Lynchburg). In most cases they were reappointed to three year terms on the Board of Directors. The Board has also voted on the following officers for 2007-2008: Kathryn Mays – President; William “Sandy” Carrington – Vice-President; Peggy Berger – Secretary; Stuart Turille – Treasurer; and Dr. Augustus “Gus” Petticolas – Past President. Dr. Dean Gianakos will continue to serve as Medical Director. The Free Clinic is located at 1016 Main Street in Lynchburg. It provides a wide array of medical, dental, and pharmaceutical services to under insured and uninsured low-income Central Virginians from Lynchburg and the surrounding counties. |
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LOFT TOUR 2007 The 3rd Annual Downtown Lynchburg Loft Tour was held on Saturday, February 24 on a sunny day with mild temperatures. Over 400 tickets were sold for the event and another 120 complimentary tickets were distributed to volunteers, who visited nine different furnished loft apartments and several unfurnished ones. This fundraising event raised $8,500 for the Free Clinic operating budget. (Watch for the 4th Annual Tour in February 2008.) At a reception held annually after the Loft Tour, the Free Clinic celebrated the lives of three volunteers “In Memoriam”. Their names were inscribed on the Memorial Wall Plaque and their families were given framed certificates with the words from the inscription. Those honored included Greg Sheehan Arthur, who served as a Founding Member of the Free Clinic’s Board of Directors and served multiple terms on the Board from 1987-1996. She and her husband, Dr. Lewis Angelo Arthur, who is a twenty year dental volunteer, have provided on-going service and financial support to the clinic. Abigail McKenna Haney, President of the Board of Directors from 2003-2006 and a member of the Board of Directors from 1997-2006 was honored for her commitment to the Free Clinic. She and her husband, Chuck, who is now on the Board of Directors, have supported the clinic in many ways over the years. Finally, Roland K. Peters, another Founding Member of the Free Clinic’s Board of Directors and eight year member of the Board was recognized for his long support of the Free Clinic. His wife, Eloise, attended the event along with representatives from the Retail Merchants Foundation. At this ceremony, Centra Health Foundation was presented with the Free Clinic’s Donor Award for their strong support of the dental program and other services at the Free Clinic. Dr. Kathryn Pumphrey, Executive Director, accepted a plaque which will be displayed at the Foundation Office. A duplicate will be erected near the entrance to the Greg Sheehan Arthur Dental Suite at the Free Clinic. This event was presided over by Kathyrn Mays, President of the Board and Robert Barlow, Executive Director. It was generously catered by the Starlight Café and DISH/Bull Branch Restaurants. |
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PREVENTATIVE CARE PROGRAMS Over the past three years, the Free Clinic has attempted to introduce more preventative programs into its array of offerings for its clients. Low-income uninsured or underinsured persons are not as likely to arrange for these types of medical or dental visits due to cost factors. Yet, it is clear that these actions benefit one’s overall health. When the VCU School of Dentistry began its partnership with the Free Clinic in late 2003, a comprehensive dental hygiene program was introduced. This program in an expanded form continues today. Beginning in 2004 with a Susan B. Komen Foundation Grant and supported by subsequent Genworth Foundation Grants, all women patients have been educated about breast cancer, taught breast self-examination, and offered a free annual mammogram. Beginning in March 2007 with the help of a grant from Lynchburg Rotary Clubs, the Free Clinic will begin a formal program to educate all patients about colon cancer and offer appropriate evaluations and testing. This is a “start” in bringing preventative care techniques to those with fewer resources. There is much more to do. |
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SPECIALTY MEDICAL CLINICS EXPANDED In order to better meet the medical needs and provide convenience for FC medical patients, there have been three new specialty clinics established in the past six months. Recently added to the list of offerings have been: Dermatology – Dr. Kappa Meadows; Orthopedics – Dr. Paul Fitzgerald; and Minor Surgery – Dr. Bill Gayle. There are other possibilities being considered for the future. An expansion of medical specialty clinics encourages FC patients to readily “come in” for these services. They are often seen more rapidly than referrals to private offices. They know and trust the FC setting. By seeing patients at the clinic for these problems, it also reduces the number of unnecessary or minor referrals to the private offices that already generously accept FC patients. Other specialists who provide services AT the Free Clinic include: Dr. Charles Joseph – Neurology; Dr. Bob Richards – Gastroentology; Dr Jeff Wilson – Rhuematology; Drs. Scott Zindel and Michael Overfelt – Podiatry; Drs. James Wright and Patricia Powers – Endocrinology; Dr. Robert Bowden – Gynecology; Rehabilitation Associates (David Titcomb) – Physical Therapy; Lesley McPhatter – Dietician. Please visit our website www.fccv.net to gain more information about the Free Clinic. Included are lists of other physicians who volunteer at the FC or in their offices. Also listed are the many medical practice offices that provide unlimited services to FC patients in THEIR own offices. |
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FLASH NEWS The Genworth Financial Basketball Team won the James River Charity Basketball Tournament on the weekend of March 17th &18th. It raised $8,600 for the clinic’s operations. A more detailed article will appear in the Summer 2007 Newsletter. |
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“STAFF STUFFERS” NEEDED Person, Restaurant or Organizations to provide heavy
snacks or light suppers for one to five times per year for 15 evening clinic
staff and volunteers. |
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| We greatly need volunteer painters to help us with small offices and/or larger areas, as soon as possible. We also could use a person(s) who with small construction and electrical expertise to work on one-time projects. Always needed are Tuesday and/or Thursday evening eligibility screening volunteers | ||
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Upcoming Events 1. April 25th, 5-7pm |
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DID YOU KNOW EVERY $1 DONATED to the FREE CLINIC in 2005 PROVIDED $8 in medical, dental, and/or pharmaceutical services to Central Virginians! |
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PLEASE HELP The Free Clinic Needs Your Financial
Gifts. |
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