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QA & with Margaret Hersh, Executive Director of Augusta Regional Free Clinic Continued from page 5 Q: What were your greatest accomplishments in your fiscal year ending 9/30/09? A: Overwhelmingly, our greatest accomplishment in the past year has been serving the medical and dental needs of our community at a greater rate than ever before and with more cost efficiency in this struggling economy. In addition to our regular medical program, special programs to serve specific needs included: • Eye Care Program: Through collaboration with Augusta Eye Associates, Lens Crafters, Shenandoah Valley Social Services, Trinity Episcopal Church and area Lions Clubs, needy individuals in our area have received free eye exams, and over 264 pairs of eyeglasses this year and a total of almost 500 have been dispensed since the program inception at a retail value of over $147,000. Assistance has also been provided to those persons diagnosed with diseases of the eye or degenerative conditions requiring more extensive vision aides. Answer continues 6 • GARCC/CROSSROADS <strong>BUSINESS</strong> • MARCH/APRIL 2010 Answer continued A: • Susan G. Komen Richmond-Affiliate Grant: Provides outreach and education for prevention and early detection of breast cancer to 2,000 low-income, at-risk women in our community. This past year over 500 mammograms were ordered for medically uninsured women between the ages of 40–64. The program assists with the coordination of annual breast exams, mammography and patient follow-up as needed. • Over 1000 Seasonal and H1N1 Flu Shots: In trying to meet the mission of the clinic, our nurses administered flu shots to patients and to the community. The nurses provided these flu shots during regular patient visits, as well as to church soup kitchens, to businesses that have large populations of uninsured workers, and to other non-profit agencies that requested the service. This preventive measure makes a huge impact on the wellness of our community. Answer continues “The leadership at RMH places trust and confidence in Harman Construction to deliver er a quality project on time and at a fair price.” Answer continued A: • School and Sports Physicals: As part of a community service and State Health Plan for Children Awareness campaign, the Augusta Regional Free Clinic began offering physical exams to area families with children and youth. The Augusta Regional Dental Clinic Model is recognized by the Virginia Association of Free Clinics and the Virginia Health Care Foundation as the premier model for a safety net dental clinic in the Commonwealth of Virginia and has been successfully replicated across the state. Over the past year the ARDC dental program provided over 4,000 dental visits to children and over 2,000 adult visits. A new oral health program called “ORCAS,” which stands for “Oral Health, Resources, Care and Prevention, Assessments and Sealants,” was launched in Fall 2008 to provide greater access to preventive care for elementary students. To date, this mobile dental program has visited 14 of the area’s 20 elementary schools, where a dentist identifies oral health care issues through assessment, and the application of fluoride and sealants prevents tooth decay. Q: What do you see as your greatest challenges this (current) fiscal year? A: Our greatest challenge is keeping up with the significant patient volumes experienced as a result of the economic downturn (40% increase from the same period prior year) at the same time as we are experiencing a decrease in the amount of total donations (a 30% decrease from the budgeted amount). An estimated 1,800 patients will seek care at the Augusta Regional Free Clinic during this upcoming year. Our long range goals include providing and promoting more preventive care to more needy individuals in our community in the hope that early detection and treatment will lead to better outcomes and more efficiency. Viewed as both a challenge and an opportunity, the proposed expansion of the Augusta Regional Dental Clinic will allow greater access to oral health services by the area’s dentally-uninsured, income-qualified adults and Medicaid eligible participants. The existing dental facility’s 2,400 square feet of space, the four operatories, and its configuration currently limit productivity and the ability to treat the growing number of patients. Answer continues at top of page 7
Answer continued A: For low income families in our region, there are few options for securing a dental appointment, other than at the Augusta Regional Dental Clinic (ARDC). With 30,000 persons from our community eligible to seek access to low or no-cost dental care, and with appointment wait times exceeding 12 months for adult restorative treatments, our immediate need is to increase and expand access. This year, we are undertaking the construction of a new, adjoining dental facility with eight operatories, to measure an estimated 5,000 square feet and costing an estimated $1.2 million which would essentially double our capacity to treat patients. The cost figure estimate does include equipment, furnishings and the cost of renovating vacated space for medical use. A capital campaign will be undertaken to help fund the project. Q: How is your organization funded? A: The Augusta Regional Free Clinic uses volunteer medical providers, community volunteers, and bulk, donated medicine to leverage and supplement the substantial cost of care. Patients are referred for specialty care to local specialty providers who kindly provide care in their own offices at no charge. Thankfully, Augusta Health provides pro-bono diagnostic care (laboratory and imaging services) to ARFC patients. The ARFC relies on donations from individuals, businesses, civic organizations, and churches to fund its annual operating budget. Additionally, funds are obtained from state and local government, as well as from grant and foundation sources. Answer continues Answer continued A: Our Dental Clinic receives its funding from several different sources, and we do not actively solicit or rely on contribution income for support. It depends primarily on Medicaid reimbursement to cover its costs; however, in order to make the ARDC fully self-sustaining, we do ask adult patients to pay (if they can) a fee of $35 per dental visit or hygiene visit. We also seek grants to offset expenses. Hence, the ARDC is not technically a “Free Clinic,” but rather a full-service provider of dental care at a substantially reduced cost from that of a private practice. The ARDC adjoins the medical clinic and has four dental chairs. Its paid staff consists of two full-time dentists, and a part-time dentist (funded through a grant), along with eight clinical and administrative support staff members. Several area dentists volunteer regularly, as well. Q&A continues on page 12 “Our greatest challenge is keeping up with the significant patient volumes experienced as a result of the economic downturn (40% increase from the same period prior year) at the same time as we are experiencing a decrease in the amount of total donations (a 30% decrease from the budgeted amount).” Serving You Even Better with a New Stuarts Draft Location FISHERSVILLE 17 N. Medical Park Dr. LEXINGTON 62 Hilltop Lane STAUNTON 1500 Commerce Road STUARTS DRAFT 2927 Stuarts Draft Hwy. WAYNESBORO 425 South Linden Ave. Open: Mon. — Fri., Stuarts Draft: 9:00am — 5:30pm; Other Locations: 8:00am — 5:30pm Our Innovative Packages start at less than $50. We accept insurance from many Vision Plans, Medicare and Medicaid. see the differ- 540.213.772 EYE EXAMS • LICENSED OPTICIANS CONTACT LENSES • SUNGLASSES • SAFETY GLASSES David Barnes M.D. James Gillespie M.D. Rachna Patel M.D. Peter Richardson M.D. Marc Shields M.D. David Smith O.D. Read Our Practitioners’ Profiles at: www.augustaeyeassociates.com Dedicated to Your Vision, Comfort and Convenience MARCH/APRIL 2010 • GARCC/CROSSROADS <strong>BUSINESS</strong> • 7
Page 1 and 2: VOLUME 5, NUMBER 3 your regional bu
Page 3 and 4: About Us Up Front MARCH/APRIL 2010
Page 5: “The Augusta Regional Free Clinic
Page 9 and 10: The Third Annual 1st Choice GMAC Re
Page 11 and 12: PHOTO: Dennis L. Jones Photography
Page 13 and 14: 2010 Chamber Guide | www.augustacha
Page 19 and 20: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE John Riley John
Page 21 and 22: Crozet Healthcare Providers Offerin
Page 23 and 24: y Kathy Johnson: Is Earth Day speci
Page 25 and 26: March of Dimes: Walking to Get Ther
Page 27 and 28: Noteworthy New Members Grand Openin

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