Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics

06/19/2026

CrossOver Healthcare Ministry in Richmond, welcomed Caroline Chapman, PA to the OB team earlier this year. She's filling a critical role in the clinic's ability to serve more mothers by acting as the link between volunteer providers and staff to ensure patients receive consistent follow-up care. “I feel so privileged to get to be in this role of women’s health and obstetrics and to work with this team” she shared.

Without health insurance, many women delay or entirely forgo prenatal checkups, routine screenings, and chronic condition management due to prohibitive costs. This significantly increases the risk of undetected pregnancy complications, high-risk births, and long-term health challenges for both mother and child. By providing these comprehensive services, CrossOver is facilitating early interventions, safer deliveries, and healthier families.

https://www.crossoverministry.org/programs-services/

06/18/2026

In 2025 alone, 365 of the Charlottesville Free Clinic's patients were diagnosed with hypertension. For patients like Arjun and Anika, fighting hypertension and pre-diabetes is an uphill battle when faced with food insecurity. Thanks to a partnership with 4P Foods, 50 of their patients most at risk for hypertension and food insecurity are now able to pickup a box of fresh produce every week.

By increasing access and reducing barriers to healthy living, clinic patients are able to focus on healing. “This has been a great aid in our health for sure,” says Arjun’s wife, Anika, “We look forward every Thursday afternoon to picking up a box of fresh food from the free clinic!”

https://www.cvillefreeclinic.org/

06/17/2026

Former Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics board member Thomas Rayner is an endurance cyclist and passionate advocate for accessible health care. He's riding across Virginia this month to help shine a light on the clinics serving uninsured and underserved Virginians. During his Tour, he hopes to spotlight the free clinics that are meeting critical needs across Virginia and inspire others to support their work.

“Healthcare access affects every community, yet many people still struggle to receive basic care. I wanted this ride to mean something bigger than miles on a map. Miles for Care allows me to meet the people doing life-changing work every day and help tell their stories,” he shared

https://www.vafreeclinics.org/blog_home.asp?Display=129

06/16/2026

In Falls Church, Culmore Clinic recently welcomed new staff Family Nurse Practitioner, Tyra Browne, MSN, FNP-BC. Nurse practitioners like Tyra are essential to the delivery of health care in free clinics and having her as a dedicated provider is critical to continuity of care in a mostly volunteer practice environment.

A multi-year grant from the Virginia Health Care Foundation allowed the clinic to hire Tyra who reports, "I am passionate about practicing in an environment that actively works to dismantle the social, financial, and educational barriers that so often stand between a patient and their well-being."

https://www.culmoreclinic.org/blog/newfamilynp

06/15/2026

ODU Community Care, a nurse-led, student-run initiative of the Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University, recently hosted its annual Spring Fling event in Franklin. The event had participants moving from station to station engaging in conversations with nursing students and faculty on topics like nutrition, dental care, blood pressure and diabetes prevention.

In a rural area where access to transportation and healthcare can be limited, this annual event brings people together and provides school supplies, health screenings, entertainment and more. Made possible with the support of the Obici Healthcare Foundation, the University’s outreach program continues to expand access to care, while also investing in the next generation of healthcare leaders.

https://www.odu.edu/nursing/article/eliminating-barriers-to-care-the-western-tidewater-region

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