Providing healing and hope to the working poor

Newsletter for
Winter 2002/ 2003

INTERNS AT THE CLINIC

The Free Clinic is very fortunate to have four interns working in various capacities at the facility for either Fall 2002 or 2002-2003. Barbara Smith, an advanced Pharmacy Technician student at the National Business College, is working under the auspices of Kathy Curry, Pharmacy Coordinator. Ms. Smith is getting "hands on" pharmacy work, a working knowledge of medications, an understanding of medical procedures, and countless other experiences between September and November 2002. Misty Belew, a senior Community Health major at Lynchburg College will be working 15 hours/week all year. She will work with Bob Barlow and Jane Ayers in administrative work, computer based data entry, and outreach programs. Sarah Murray, a senior in the R.N. program at Lynchburg College, and Matthew Midlonian, a F.N.P. intern from the University of Virginia are working with Melanie Smith, F.N.P. on medical care to our clients. Ms. Murray will work with us on Tuesdays for the fall term; Mr. Midlonian will work with us on Mondays and Wednesdays through December 2002.

Barbara Smith

TRIGON SUPPORTS FREE CLINIC

In an announcement in September, Mr. Thomas Snead, Chairman and CEO of TRIGON Blue Cross/Blue Shield (now a subsidiary of ANTHEM) announced that Trigon would offer $600,000 in funding to the Free Clinics in Central Virginia. This has been distributed in $10,000 grants to each of the 38 Free Clinics in the Commonwealth. The remaining $220,000 will be distributed later this fall based on proposals submitted for special projects by each respective clinic in grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 in size. We greatly appreciate the continued support of TRIGON!

HEALTH EDUCATION CLASSES/PROGRAMS

The Free Clinic has "reinstituted" its educational classes/programs. Physical Therapy, Dental Hygiene, and HIV/STDs sessions were conducted in October. Theses programs will be repeated in November along with the addition of Aerobic Exercise at the YMCA. The instructors for the operating programs have included: David Titcomb and Frank Layman of Rehabilitation Associates in Madison Heights, Jennifer Moorefield of the Lynchburg Dental Hygienists Association, Rhonda Callaham of Central Virginia Community Services, and Mable Franklin of the YMCA. Anne Bishop, R.N. and Free Clinic Board member will teach her "Stop-Smoking" Class in January/February 2003.

The classes/programs (except PT) are open to non-Free Clinic patients with the approval of the Executive Director. For details or to sign up, please call the Free Clinic.

NEW PHARMACIST ARRIVES - TOM HOHENSEE

MedsHelp has appointed Tom Hohensee to the newly created position of part-time Pharmacist. In this new role under an agreement between MedsHelp and the Free Clinic of Central Virginia, Mr. Hohensee will provide 6-8 hours per week of direct pharmacy services to the patients of the clinic. In return, Medshelp will utilize the Free Clinic Pharmacy, and Medshelp clients may pick up medications at extended hours through the Free Clinic. Tom Hohensee is a native of Virginia. He was previously employed as a Pharmacist with Tom Jones Drug on Timberlake. He is now employed full-time by CVS Pharmacy.

TWO DIABETIC PATIENTS MOVING TO SELF-CARE

  One of the major efforts underway at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia, Inc. is to move more chronic disease clients into a more complete self-care model.   James H. Wright Jr. and Robert Smith are doing exactly that.  They were both enrolled in the Diabetes Model Care Study in September 2002.  Both have been educated with more information about the disease and given glucometers and test strips to do more frequent self-testing of their blood glucose levels.  Mr. Wright has said by doing this testing he can now tell when exercise makes a difference in his health.

 Both men are working regularly and having minimal problems with their disease.  These men, who are now taking better care of themselves, are shining examples of a positive self-care initiative.   It is planned to add hypertension and asthma to the chronic disease self-care programs in 2003.

Holiday Message

Dear Friends,
As we enter into the Holiday season, we ask your extra support this year. We have already learned that we have been "cut" by 15% or $14,000 in Governor Warner's budget proposals. We know that the income that we normally receive from Foundation grants will be smaller due to the economy and lower interest rates. We must continue our high level of care for the "working poor" in Central Virginia. Please give to support our important services.
Thank you and Best Wishes for your Holidays!
                             Robert "Bob" Barlow, Executive Director.

BARR LABORATORIES PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES MEDS

Barr Laboratories in Forest, Virginia has entered into a partnership with the Free Clinic of Central Virginia. Under this agreement, Barr is providing prescription medications that are produced at the local plant to the Free Clinic. These medicines are not expired, but they are under the time requirement to sell commercially. This pharmaceutical donation by a local corporate citizen will greatly assist the Free Clinic in serving Central Virginia citizens. Thanks to Gail Ferber Dail, President, and Michael Mooreshead, Vice-President, for facilitating this arrangement.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS SELECTED

Every year, Board of Directors members rotate off and on the Free Clinic Board. Four new members have been added to the roster in 2002.

Chris Ellis, an employee of BB&T Bank and a long-time volunteer with the annual Free Clinic Basketball Tournament, will serve on the Finance and Fundraising Committees. Rhonda Callaham, who works at Central Virginia Community Services as a Health/HIV Educator, will be a member of the Health Education and Promotion Subcommittee and a volunteer educator at the clinic. The Reverend Kim Webster, an Episcopalian minister who serves as the Chaplain at Westminster-Canterbury, will participate as a member of the Personnel and the Building/Maintenance Committees. Finally, Dr. Robert Bowen, a retired Orthopedic Surgeon and a long-time medical volunteer, will render his services on the Medical Services Subcommittee and as a volunteer physician.

We wish to formally thank Angie Arthur, D.D.S., George Wortley, M.D., and Reverend Jerry Newbold who completed terms of service to the Board in 2002.

NAP GRANTS

Through the State of Virginia's Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), the Free Clinic has been awarded $45,000 in state tax credits for fiscal year 2002-2003. These credits will enable the clinic to pay vendors for services and supplies with state income tax credits. This allows the clinic to use its donated dollars for more direct care services to the "working poor" patients here in Central Virginia.

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE HOME TOUR NETS AT LEAST $22,500 for FREE CLINIC

The Smith Mountain Lake Home Tour and Charity Gala set fund raising records in September and October 2002. As one of eight beneficiaries of this year's event, the Free will receive an "unrestricted" check to support the general operating budget on November 15. Records were set in terms of sponsorships, auction item income, and ticket sales for the auction and the home tour itself. The weather was beautiful, the homes were fantastic, and the crowds were very enthusiastic. Special thanks go to all the Free Clinic staff members, board members, and friends who volunteered in so many ways to help make the event a BIG success!

A TRIBUTE TO SIDNEY EVERETT SUTHERLAND

Sidney E. Sutherland was a member of the Free Clinic of Central Virginia, Inc. Board of Directors from 1989 - 2002. As a member of the Board, he served in virtually every capacity as a reliable, dedicated volunteer. As a tribute to his work with the Free Clinic, his wife and family asked that friends consider making a gift to the Free Clinic in his memory. Mr. Sutherland passed away on May 22. Our sincerest condolences and our gratitude go out the Sutherland Family. Incidentally, his first granddaughter, Sydney Elise Sutherland, was born on September 4, 2002.