An Attitude of Gratitude for Fauquier Free Clinic

An Attitude of Gratitude for Fauquier Free Clinic

The Fauquier Free Clinic has administered over 800 Covid vaccine shots, and made dramatic changes in protocols to keep patients and staff safe. Here, physician’s assistant Stacey Shepherd and pharmacist Margaret Rowe are preparing vaccine shots.

Photo by Jodi Nash

By Jodi Nash

There’s a compelling story in the Fauquier Free Clinic’s 2020 annual report, about a man named Tony who walked in to make an appointment after weeks of fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

He had no health insurance, Photo by Jodi Nash and didn’t want to acquire debt The Fauquier Free Clinic has administered he couldn’t repay. An FFC doctor over 800 Covid vaccine shots, and made dradetected a heart arrhythmia on matic changes in protocols to keep patients and his first visit, and he was referred staff safe. Here, physician’s assistant Stacey to a local cardiologist who saw him later that day. Shepherd and pharmacist Margaret Rowe are preparing vaccine shots.

Tony also had a months-old wound that wouldn’t heal. A local surgeon performed a biopsy, which led to a cancer diagnosis, and ultimately the removal of the lesion. An FFC clinic volunteer helped him enroll in Medicaid, so his heart medicine and ongoing medical needs would be paid for. He’s now an active, grateful participant in his own healthcare.

That’s how it’s done at FFC, whose mission is to provide comprehensive medical, dental, and mental health care (including social services) to eligible citizens in Fauquier and Rappahannock Counties, regardless of income.

It’s an independent non-profit organization, open five days a week, with a walkin clinic on Thursday nights and an annual budget of $1.8 million. It’s funded in part by foundation grants, generous community partners, personal donations, local gifts, and fundraising events.

Executive director Rob Marino has been at the helm for 21 years of tremendous growth. FFC services 1,500 to 2,000 patients a year, ranging in age from seven to 91. It has a robust volunteer force of 200 participants as well as two primary care physicians and two dentists available daily on a volunteer basis. The Medical Director sees patients and works in a part-time funded position. The patient care coordinator, a full-time funded position, is an RN.

Founded in 1993, the clinic initially operated out of the Fauquier County Health Deptartment building one night a week. After an explosive expansion of services and patient visits, by 2014 the clinic was struggling for space. The goal was to consolidate services, and create a coordinated medical, dental and mental healthcare facility under one roof.

Fauquier Health Foundation (now the PATH Foundation) purchased the building at 35 Rock Pointe Lane, and leases it to FFC for $1 a year. FFC raised over $1.5 million to renovate it, transforming the space into a modern medical clinic.

“My favorite part of this job, is you think you know what your day will be like, but every day presents an unexpected challenge,” Marino said. “Many of our patients have complex needs, from no housing, transportation, health insurance or family, while coping with life threatening disease.”

FFC connects patients to housing organizations like Fauquier Family Shelter or Community Touch and, once a medical condition is identified, to diagnostic centers and medical specialists who provide free care.

Dr. Diane King, a Fauquier native who practiced family medicine in Remington before retiring in 2015, has been on board from the clinic’s inception, spending at least 6-8 days a month there for almost 30 years.

“I enjoy the diverse ethnic mix of patients and volunteer medical professionals,” she said. “I like being a volunteer medical professional close to home, and the sense of continuity it builds within the community.”

Dr. Ronald Jackson, who had a long-time dentistry practice in Middleburg before retiring in 2016, volunteered at FFC twice a month and said its been among the most rewarding things he’s ever done.

“It’s very well run, and I like the concept of collaborative services in one place,” he said. “Everyone is extremely grateful for everything they receive.”

FFC is looking for professional and non-professional volunteers and always welcomes new patients.

Said Jackson, “We want people to know that if you’re deciding against getting healthier because you have no resources, at least call us for help.”