Spotlight On

Mission:
Arlington Free Clinic is a non-profit, community based, volunteer driven organization committed to providing access to quality health care services to low income, uninsured residents. Arlington Free Clinic is the only organization within Arlington County to provide free, comprehensive health care to these residents.

Background:
In 1991, physicians from the Arlington County Medical Society were increasingly aware that the number of people needing free or low cost medical care was growing. Through the efforts of these physicians, a steering committee was formed to evaluate establishing a free clinic in Arlington. Support for establishing a free clinic grew quickly. On January 11, 1994, Arlington Free Clinic opened its doors one night a week at Thomas Jefferson Middle School to provide health care services for county residents who had no other access to care.

In 1998, with generous donations from individuals, community groups, businesses, churches and foundations, the Clinic moved to its own leased space on Columbia Pike. With this move, it was able to expand appointments and services. One of the most helpful additions was a licensed pharmacy so patients could get their prescriptions on site for a $4 processing fee. In April 2005, the Clinic moved again to a temporary facility on the Ballston corridor because the building housing the Clinic on Columbia Pike will be demolished and replaced by a new multi-use complex called Columbia Center. In three years, Arlington Free Clinic will have its own condo space in the new complex.

Over the years, medical services at the Clinic have expanded to include comprehensive care for acute and chronic illnesses, disease education, nutrition education, pharmacy consultation, case management, mental health, physical therapy and a preventative women’s health program. Many patients use AFC as their primary doctor’s office. AFC is proud to help build a healthier community in Arlington by offering health care services to the neediest residents in a respectful and caring atmosphere.

Arlington Free Clinic depends on the dedication of over 500 volunteers to fulfill its mission. Volunteers provide the energy and expertise that has generated award-winning care (recognized with the 2002 Presidential Community Volunteer Award). Volunteers are the Clinic’s greatest asset! Over 152 doctors, as well as 70 nurses, numerous pharmacists, interpreters, eligibility screeners, lab technicians, and others, gave over 13,000 hours of service in 2004. Many of the physicians regularly work with the patients in the Clinic setting, and many specialists offer appointments for the patients in their offices at no charge.

AFC is proud to have recently been selected as one of 5 finalists for the 2005 Washington Post Award for Excellence in Non-Profit Management.

Current Programs:
Last year, Arlington Free Clinic provided over 7,100 appointments for a wide variety of services. Approximately 70% of the patients have chronic illnesses that require regular appointments throughout the year. All patients have a case manager who supports them in following their treatment plans.

Services include appointments with specialists on-site and in the physicians’ private office on referral, 756 mental health counseling visits, 545 physical therapy appointments, 510 medical education consultations for breast health, nutrition, osteoporosis, diabetes and asthma. The Clinic has also secured a wide range of services from local providers, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and other procedures for complex medical problems. Over 19,000 prescriptions were dispensed.

In 2004, Arlington Free Clinic launched the Healthy Lifestyles Program. The program goal is to achieve a healthier AFC population by combating obesity, and integrating exercise and healthy eating into the lifestyle of the patients. Many AFC patients are overweight or obese with complicating health problems, such as diabetes. The Healthy Lifestyles program involved approximately 90 patients during the first year.

Funding Needs:
Arlington Free Clinic is seeking general operating funds which will support all of its programs and services.

The "Spotlight On" highlights the activities of a different 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving the Metropolitan Washington, DC community. The selection of organizations for the "Spotlight On" is based on criteria such as programmatic interests, geographic focus, and size, to ensure the broadest possible representation of the region's nonprofit sector.

If you'd like to see your NPO in the "Spotlight," e-mail a description of your organization, following the above format, to dclibrary@foundationcenter.org, with "Spotlight Submission" in the subject line.