Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics

09/02/2026

Virginia was well represented at the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC) Symposium in Washington, DC! The Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics was pleased to have so many of our member clinics and partners in attendance including the Arlington Free Clinic, Charlottesville Free Clinic, CrossOver Healthcare Ministry, Culmore Clinic, Free Clinic of Culpeper, Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic, NOVA ScriptsCentral, Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinic, Northern Neck - Middlesex Free Health Clinic, ODU Community Care, Rx Partnership, Sinclair Health Clinic, Virginia Telemental Health Initiative, and Western Tidewater Free Clinic.

From August 23-25, clinic leaders, volunteers, providers, pharmacy teams, partners, and advocates from across the country come together for learning, connection, and in celebration of NAFC's 25 years of strengthening the charitable healthcare community.

09/01/2026

Last month, U.S. Senator Mark Warner visited the Bland Ministry Center Dental Clinic to tour the facility and hear how federal cuts to the ACA and Medicaid will impact the number of uninsured seeking care at the state's free and charitable clinics. During his visit, clinic leadership also shared plans for an expansion to serve those in need. Once completed, Brushy Mountain Dentistry will feature seven operatories that will help to cut down on the current six-to-twelve-month waitlist.

08/31/2026

A total of $189M in Rural Health Transformation Funds were awarded to Virginia late last year and $122M has been allocated so far to various entities around the state to support efforts to hire and retain rural healthcare providers, invest in healthcare technologies, and strengthen the industry’s workforce in rural areas.

“The ground is shifting under our health care system, and rural communities are feeling that uncertainty in real time,” Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin Figueroa said. “These investments allow us to create stability where we can, innovate where it makes sense, and keep care within reach for the people who need it.”

The money is meant to hire and retain rural healthcare providers, invest in healthcare technologies and strengthen the industry’s workforce in rural areas.

08/28/2026

Chesapeake Care, Inc. benefits from a partnership with VCU Dentistry's Service Learning Program which allows the clinic to expand its level of care while providing senior dental and dental hygiene students a chance to gain real-world experience by providing much-needed oral health care to patients who would struggle to access it elsewhere.

The students shown here dedicated their time and skills to providing restorations and extractions for uninsured patients while Dr. Lon Meader provided oversight and support throughout their visit. We are thankful for their commitment to service and helping to provide quality dental care to those who need it most!

08/26/2026

Volunteers play a critical role in free and charitable clinic service delivery to vulnerable Virginians. With patient demand for healthcare services on the rise, medical and licensed healthcare volunteers are needed more than ever. Connect directly with current needs in Virginia’s free clinics: https://volunteer.vafreeclinics.org/

08/24/2026

Earlier this month, two of our member clinics joined Virginia leaders for an important conversation about efforts to help residents maintain access to SNAP and Medicaid benefits as federal changes take effect. Shown here are clinic representatives Tammy Speerhas of ODU Community Care and Elizabeth Marsh of PiN Ministry with Marvin Figueroa, Virginia Secretary of Health & Human Resources.

These conversations are an important reminder that advocacy is an essential part of caring for our community. We’re pleased to see our member clinics collaborating with community partners and statewide leaders who share a commitment to a healthier, more equitable Virginia.

08/20/2026

We love to see the collaboration between the Greene Care Clinic and Sentara RMH Medical Center and Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital to bring important cancer screenings to folks in need in Greene County. Uninsured, low-income residents have access to free mammograms thanks to the Every Woman's Life program.

The mobile mammography unit will be back in Greene on November 13, 2026. If you are uninsured and live in Greene County, call the Greene Care Clinic at 434-985-7000 to see if you are eligible for a free screening mammogram.

08/19/2026

When a newly married patient came to the Ledwith Lewis Free Clinic in Tappahannock seeking primary care, the clinic didn't find a physical issue to treat. Rather, they found someone carrying the weight of untreated depression and the quiet struggle of adjusting to a new chapter of life. After visiting with the clinic's social worker, she was prescribed an antidepressant that was provided at no cot cost through Rx Partnership. Just weeks later, she returned to the clinic bright, hopeful, and feeling like herself again.

That's the power of integrated care, free clinics combine medical, mental health, and essential support services under one roof, providing whole-person care to medically underserved Virginians.

08/18/2026

The Free Clinic of Powhatan is dedicated to building a healthier community one person at a time. The clinic, which also serves Medicaid patients, provides comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health, and nutrition services enabling patients to live healthier lives and contribute meaningfully to our community.

As a free and charitable clinic, it is a unified partner in the effort to improve healthcare access across Virginia by providing a smart, affordable, and high-quality alternative for those who lack health insurance.
https://www.wric.com/video/free-clinic-of-powhatan-what-kind-of-services-are-at-free-clinic-of-powhatan/12057519/

08/17/2026

Shana lost her dental insurance when she could no longer afford the $300 monthly premium while balancing two jobs, raising teenagers, and caring for her elderly grandmother. Her situation reflects a common reality for many where basic living expenses must take priority over high out-of-pocket health costs. Without accessible care, necessary dental treatments remain out of reach, forcing many to live with chronic discomfort or worsening conditions.

Fortunately, Healing Hands Health in Bristol provides comprehensive accessible oral health care and was an essential lifeline for Shana. Today, she is pain-free able to smile with confidence and eat comfortably thanks to her local community free and charitable clinic.

https://www.healinghandshealth.org/stories/shanas-story-more-than-a-smile-restored