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Providing healing and hope to underinsured and uninsured persons |
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Newsletter for |
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DENTAL EXPANSION CAMPAIGN Case Statement Background The Free Clinic of Central Virginia, Inc (FCCV) established a daytime dental program in partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry in August 2003. Dental student “externs” work under the supervision of licensed dentist mentor/professors who maintain private practices here in Central Virginia and have adjunct faculty status at VCU. The number of patient visits being provided to low income uninsured citizens has QUINTUPLED over the past three years due to this program. Currently, these externs are seeing between 1,500 and 1,600 patient visits per year for dental exams, dental hygiene work, restorations (fillings), and extractions. This model is now being replicated in five other communities across the Commonwealth. The FCCV continues to operate an evening dental program that handles primarily extractions for additional 300-400 patient visits. The Need Despite these tremendous increases in the numbers of people being served, the FCCV and the new James River Dental Clinic (under the federally funded Johnson Community Health Center) have only scratched the surface of the true need in this area. It is not uncommon for a patient to have to wait 2-3 months to get a dental appointment due to the large numbers of people needing services. We have done some publicity for our services, but we are afraid to publicize them widely and directly to those in need because we would not be able to handle a large influx of new patients. Research completed by Centra Health indicates that there in the neighborhood of 25,000 people in Central Virginia (Cities of Lynchburg & Bedford and Counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford & Campbell) who need dental services, but are unable to afford them. Also, they do not qualify in most cases for any other supportive services in Central Virginia. The Solution The FCCV is planning to DOUBLE its capacity to serve people in 2006! The VCU School of Dentistry has agreed to supply six student externs per rotation in academic year 2006-2007. Centra Health, Inc will continue to provide overnight housing for the externs in Lynchburg. The mentor/professors are comfortable supervising six externs versus the current three. The FCCV has the space in its present facility to build three new operatories (chairs). Centra Health Foundation has recently agreed to fund $100,000 of an estimated $124,000 equipment cost to furnish three additional dental operatories. The FCCV needs to raise an additional $140,000 ASAP for construction costs and to purchase the balance of the equipment |
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MEDSHELP SATELLITE OFFICE As reported in an earlier edition of this newsletter, the Free Clinic opened a MedsHelp satellite office in the City of Bedford in January to provide easier access to pharmacy services for Bedford residents. It currently operates in St. John’s Episcopal Church on Main Street on Monday and Friday mornings from 9 AM-1PM. Of course, MedsHelp services are also offered at the main office at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia. Although it is a difficult challenge to “get the word out” that we can accommodate 18-64 year olds with medication needs in this program, we are beginning to see some progress on this goal. We are starting to see an increased demand; we know that the need is there! |
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VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT Gabriel “Linn” Taliaferro has been recognized in many ways for his service to the Free Clinic. Linn Taliaferro accepted appointment as the Free Clinic’s Pharmacist-In-Charge in 1992; he is still in this position today. Linn was recognized in 2001 with the KAREN GOODWIN Award, which is given to outstanding long-term medical volunteers at the clinic. In 2006, Linn was recognized with the Free Clinic staffs’ Lifesaver Award for always responding and helping when the clinic is “in a bind”. An army veteran of the Korean War, Linn is loved by everyone at the Free Clinic. He is always positive, smiling, and willing to help. THANKS, LINN!!!!!! |
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PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS Either concurrently with the dental expansion construction or shortly thereafter, the Free Clinic is planning to make other physical improvements. The carpeting on the middle floor is about thirty years old. It will be replaced by a combination of new carpeting in the Meeting Area and MedsHelp Suite as well as special tiling in the Dental Suite. It is also intended that two bathrooms be added to the facility; a patient restroom in the waiting room and a handicapped restroom on the middle floor. The current Panorex Xray/Storage Room will be returned to use as Medical Exam Room #6. The small kitchen on the main floor will become the “Snack Room” rather than the current table in the main hallway. The three current dental operatories on the main floor will eventually be converted to some combination of storage closets and/or offices. We will put up sound dividers/work stations in the front office to maximize an individual staff person’s privacy and his/her ability to communicate on the telephone and/or at one of the patient windows. If there is enough money left in the “remodeling” budget, we also plan to re-carpet and/or resurface the main floor of the clinic, which was installed back in 1992 |
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FREE CLINIC RECOGNIZES IT’S CENTRAL VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS The Free Clinic of Central Virginia recently honored it’s over 600 volunteers with a reception. The group included almost 200 physicians, 52 dentists, 23 pharmacists, over 100 other medical/dental practitioners and over 200 lay persons. The event was held during National Volunteer Week at a private residence in Lynchburg. It was catered by the Academy Café. Some special individual awards were announced. The first, Dr. Joseph A. Levine Awards for providing dental services to indigent persons were awarded to Dr. Joseph A. Levine posthumously as well as to Dr. Augustus Petticloas. Both Dr. Petticolas and Dr. William Riley were acknowledged for receiving Virginia Health Care Foundation “Unsung Hero Awards” for 2006. The Karen Goodwin Awards, which are awarded to “long term” medical professional volunteers, were presented to the following persons: Dr. Robert Bowden; Leta Hunter, R.N.; Dr. Jeffrey Wilson; and Arlette Staneker, R.N. Also receiving Karen Goodwin Awards, but unable to attend were: Pharmacists Pearl Thacker and Ed Collins; Dr. Michael Overfelt; Dr. Scott Zindell; and Leslie McPhatter, Nutritionist. The Libba Hughes Awards, which are awarded to outstanding lay person volunteers were presented to three men who are married to present or former members of the Board of directors. Mr. Charles “Chuck” Haney is married to Board President, Abigail Haney. Mr. Bobby Bishop (“Vice President for Maintenance”) is married to former Board member Anne Bishop and Mr. Jerry Mitchell (former “Vice President for Construction”) is married to former Board member Katie Mitchell. Lifesaver Awards, which are presented to those who help at the last minute when urgent assistance is needed, were given to Pharmacists Roy Garrett and Dan Secrist. Other Lifesaver Awards, which were handed to persons at a later date, went to Dentist Patrick Todd; Pharmacist-In Charge Lin Taliaferro; Pharmacist Russell Krantz; Tracey Baker, R.N.; Pat Cooper, RPHT; Patsy Pinn, Certified Medical Assistant; and Morris Jefferson, Parking Lot Attendant. Finally, Outstanding Service Awards were presented to two long time volunteers in the MedsHelp Program, which is now a component of the Free Clinic Services. Mr. Roger Hessensius and Ms. Dolly Clingenpeel were recognized and thanked in absentia. |
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FREE CLINIC BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT RESULTS On March 19, BWXT (Babcock & Wilcox Technologists) defeated ACS (Automated Conveyor Systems) in the Championships game of this tournament by 46-38. In the consolation bracket, Weyerhauser defeated Intermet #2 by 46-37 for the third place trophy. The other two semi-final teams were: Genworth and Intermet #1. All games were played at the LC or RMWC gymnasiums; they were officiated by referees from the Coloial Officials Association. The tournament “brought in” $10,000 to the Free Clinic to help provide medical, dental, and pharmaceutical services to uninsured and underinsured Central Virginians. Thanks to all sponsors, teams, corporations, and volunteers who gave their time and/or resources to make the tournament successful! |
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LOFT TOUR WAS SUCCESSFUL The Second Annual Downtown Lynchburg Loft Tour held on Saturday, February
25 |
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SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE GALA, AUCTION & HOME TOUR Once again, the Free Clinic will be a beneficiary of this 2006 annual event held at Smith Mountain Lake. There will be a Dinner, Dance, and Auction at the Waters Edge Country Club on Saturday evening, September 16. This will be followed on October 6-8 with the actual Home Tour itself. The uniqueness of this tour where visitors can either dock their boat or park their car makes for an exciting day. The homes themselves are as spectacular (in fact, more spectacular) than most home tours! Income from the event will provide the Free Clinic and seven other regional charities with a donation of $20,000 - $25,000 for its operating budget. You can help support this event and the Free Clinic in a number of ways: 1) We are collecting auction items. Do you have some antique jewelry or furniture that you are willing to part with? Would you cook and prepare a dinner for eight, ten or twelve at your or someone else’s home? Do you have tickets to a sporting event or show that you are willing to donate? Do you have a vacation home that you would “rent” to an auction winner? All of these donations would be tax-deductible as the event is a 501 (3,c) charity. 2) Do you like home tours? Seriously consider purchasing tickets to the event, which will be available at Tom Jones Drugstore and other locations in September ($20 in advance) and $25 at the homes on the days of the tour. 3) Do you like dances and auctions? Contact Bob Barlow at the free Clinic about the September 16 event reported on earlier in this article. |
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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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