Report to the Community JULY 1, 2013 – JUNE 30, 2014 Vivian Liang, MD OUR MISSION: Arlington Free Clinic provides free, high-quality medical care to low- income uninsured Arlington County adults through the generosity of donors and volunteers. OUR OUR PATIENTS SERVICES Our patients are people you see every day in our community – the young cashier handing you your order at a busy doughnut shop, and the older COMPREHENSIVE gentleman counting your shirts at your neighborhood dry cleaners. Others work behind the scenes – the dishwasher in a popular Clarendon restaurant MEDICAL CARE and the evening security guard at a Rosslyn office building. Still others have • Primary, preventative faithfully served for years taking care of children or cleaning homes. They and specialty care for work hard, focused on doing a good job so they can provide for their own adults families. Many never thought they would ever need free health care. • Gynecology All live in Arlington County and have incomes at or below 200% of the • Care for chronic Federal Poverty Level (for a family of 4, this is $47,700). Most are parents diseases including with children who live at home. diabetes, hypertension, cancer Although most of our patients work, their jobs do not include access to and obesity health insurance. In recent years, an increasing number of new patients came to Arlington Free Clinic (AFC) after losing their jobs and their • Optometry insurance. • Pharmacy • Cancer screenings There are two ways to become an AFC patient. • Diagnostic and 1) Each month, we accept approximately 25 new patients through a laboratory services lottery process. • Physical Therapy 2) Individuals referred by Virginia Hospital Center, the Arlington County • Wellness classes Department of Human Resources and shelters that meet eligibility including nutrition, requirements are directly accepted. These include our sickest patients, yoga and parenting such as those with cancer, uncontrolled diabetes and renal failure. The vast majority have one or more chronic disease, such as diabetes or EDUCATION AND heart disease, and need access to a range of services including medical OUTREACH treatment, medications and ongoing care management. • Nutrition • Osteoporosis • Diabetes • Breast health MENTAL HEALTH • Psychiatric assessment and medication management • Short-term therapy • Support groups Arlington Free Clinic 2921 11th Street South Arlington, VA 22204 More than half 703-979-1425 of our patients live in the neighborhood arlingtonfreeclinic.org where the Clinic is located. 4 Facing the Future Together As she waited quietly in the exam room, Mung’s After completing treatment, she regained heart was racing. She’d known for months strength and was back at work. But when she that she was sick. But taking time off from her started to feel sick again, this time she knew what minimum wage job was a financial burden she’d to do. She called Jyl, the AFC staff nurse who hoped to avoid. During the 10 years that Mung manages her care, and heeded Jyl’s directions to had lived in the US, she’d never seen a doctor. come right to the Clinic for an exam. But over time, her throat had become increasingly swollen and sore – finally reaching the point that Ten days of antibiotics for a chest infection it was difficult to speak and swallowing brought didn’t clear up her symptoms, so Mung was on excruciating pain. She didn’t know what was referred for a chest CT and follow up with going on. But two things she did know: she didn’t Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern have health insurance and there was no way she Virginia, whose physicians generously provide could pay for a medical crisis. pro bono care for AFC patients. Now, as Mung awaits the results of the latest series of tests, While Mung waited, the physician who had she’s clearly apprehensive. But Mung knows examined her was placing a call to Arlington that this time, Jyl will be with her, along with Free Clinic (AFC). The doctor knew that Mung’s AFC’s wide network of medical support. Mung symptoms suggested cancer and that she was knows that this time, she’s not alone. uninsured. When returning to explain next steps for Mung, his first suggestion was to go to AFC. Once at AFC, the waiting turned to action. Volunteer ENT Scott Spagnoli saw Mung right away. He ordered diagnostic testing that confirmed Stage III cancer. With no time wasted, Mung began a grueling regimen of simultaneous radiation and chemotherapy – 49 rounds of radiation and 10 of chemo. Through it all, Mung proved to be tough, resilient and grateful to be receiving top quality care. 5 Beginning a New Chapter in Leadership In early 1993, Nancy came to a meeting of At end of this year she will be retiring. Nancy the Steering Committee that was working to will, quite simply, be missed greatly. We wish establish a free clinic in Arlington. During her only the best. At the same time, we remain the months that followed, Stephen Sheehy, mindful of our mission to provide top quality MD volunteered to be the Medical Director, health care for low-income Arlingtonians. Arlington Hospital committed to provide pro bono lab and x-ray services, and Thomas Last year, when the Board of Directors Jefferson Middle School was secured as the first learned of Nancy’s plans, we established a clinic site. But Nancy knew that opening a comprehensive succession process. We reviewed clinic, recruiting volunteers and raising money AFC’s sustainability plan and reexamined the would be a full-time job. So she suggested that organization’s mission statement, essential job we hire her to take it on. This required a huge descriptions and best practice policies. Then, leap of faith since, as she well knew, the Clinic we engaged a consultant in our search for the had no funds. Any salary would have to be organization’s future leader. Currently, the paid at a later date, if and when funds became consultant is compiling her recommendations available. Nancy was of course hired. From this from among an exciting pool of candidates. We modest beginning, Nancy has shepherded the expect to appoint an Executive Director before Clinic to where it is today. the year’s end, and we are confident that Nancy’s replacement will lead AFC to continued clinical It has been truly amazing to see the almost and organizational excellence in the years to come. unimaginable transformation of Arlington Free Clinic under Nancy’s guiding hand. Because — Joe Backer, MD of her dedication to our mission and her Founder, Arlington Free Clinic remarkable organizational and leadership skills, thousands of low-income Arlingtonians have had — Kevin R. Sullivan, JD the opportunity to live healthier lives. Chairman, Board of Directors Left to right: Joe Backer, MD; Nancy Sanger Pallesen; Kevin R. Sullivan, 6 BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE John M. Couric Chief Financial Officer, Promontory Kevin R. Sullivan, JD Interfinancial Network, LLC Chair Partner, King and Spalding, LLP Grant M. Ehat (retired) Principal, JBG Rosenfeld Retail; 2012 & 2013 AFC Gala Special Diane H. Naughton Gifts Chair Vice-Chair Independent Film Producer; 2014 Kathy Freshley AFC Gala Special Gifts Chair; Clinic Senior Program Officer, Eugene Volunteer and Agnes B. Meyer Foundation (retired) Douglas A. Dowling, CPA Jennifer M. Gamboa, DPT, OCS Treasurer Physical Therapist; Founder & Amy C. Otteni David N. Townshend Partner, Regardie, Brooks & Lewis President, Body Dynamics, Inc. Community Volunteer; 2011 AFC Sr. Vice President, Global Sales, Donna L. Alpi Gala Women’s Committee Chair; Marriott International Kit Gordon 2012 & 2013 AFC Gala Chair Community Volunteer; 2004 AFC Secretary Chahine Yamine, MD Gala Chair; Clinic Volunteer Community Volunteer; 2011 AFC Dammanti Passa Anesthesiologist, Dominion Gala Chair; Partner, Hogan & Childcare Provider Anesthesia, PLLC Hartson, LLP (retired) Dianne Morse Houghton Chief Operating Officer, New Mary “Didi” Salmon, CPA ____________________ Joan Bowes Ritter, MD Leaders Chief Financial Officer, National Medical Director Academy of Sciences David W. Briggs, JD Internist, Walter Reed National Kurt Hyde, CPA Holland & Knight, LLP Military Medical Center Inspector General, Library of Mark Silverwood Congress President, Silverwood Counsel to the Board Associates, Inc. Mark A. Buchholz, PMP James Meenan Nancy Sanger Pallesen, MSW Partner, Federal Acquisition Director of Case Management, Scott E. Sterling Executive Director Strategies, LLC Virginia Hospital Center Advisor, Office of the Regional Commissioner, General Services Eleanore Christiansen, MHSA Stephen F. Messinger Administration Community Volunteer Managing Partner, ECG Management Consultants, Inc. COMMUNITY ADVISORS Joseph A. Backer, MD Peter A. Converse Julissa Marenco Matthew D. Shank, PhD Arlington Free Clinic Founder & President Emeritus for the DC Metro President, ZGS Station Group at President, Marymount University Past President; Physician Volunteer; Region of United Bank ZGS Communications Radiologist, Northern Virginia Grace Abi-Najm Shea Radiology Consultants, PLLC Judy Feder Rev. Andrew T.P. Merrow Vice President, Lebanese Taverna Institute Fellow, The Urban Institute; Rector, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Gregory Cahill Professor, Georgetown Public Thomas Shooltz Restaurateur, Whitlow’s on Wilson Policy Institute; Dean, Georgetown Talal Munasifi, MD Partner, Ironwood Realty Public Policy Institute 1999-2008 Cosmetic/Plastic Surgeon, Partners, LLC Lawrence Cheng Advanced Plastic Surgery Center; Technology Consultant; Doreen Gentzler Chief of Plastic Surgery, Virginia