Virginia Health Care Foundation

A Great Return on Investment

Years ago, before The Theresa Thomas Memorial Foundation made its first grant to VHCF, we took a thorough look at VHCF’s track record. Maximizing our investment was important, and we never saw a greater return than with VHCF.

“They Saved My Life”

The 12 prescriptions Sharon needed cost more than $1,100 per month. Yet, when her company shut down, she lost her medical benefits as well as her income. Her husband’s disability check totaled just over $500 per month — less than half the cost of the medications Sharon needed to control her asthma, diabetes, hypertension, depression and allergies.

Maryview Saves the Day

Robin was so concerned that she called Maryview Healthcare Center from her hospital room. The hospital doctors who were evaluating her diabetes and resulting foot ulcer and fracture saw nothing they could do to help and were recommending her for discharge.

Turning Over Every Stone

Often giving 110%, Arleigh Johnson is the Indigent Drug Program Coordinator at Gloucester Matthews Free Clinic. In that capacity, she “unturns every stone” to help the clinic’s patients get the medicines they need.

Little Elizabeth Anne Was Born Uninsured

Because her Dad’s job didn’t provide health insurance benefits, Elizabeth Anne and her brother had no coverage.

Thanks to VHCF’s Child Health Insurance Initiative, her family was able to get one-on-one assistance to enroll both children in FAMIS, Virginia’s state-sponsored health insurance plan.

Help is Available

What do you do when you desperately need medical care but you’re uninsured and don’t have the money to pay for it? That dilemma, which faces hundreds of thousands of Virginians, played out in the waiting room at the Stony Creek Community Health Center.

Thanks “MOM”

“I am writing to try and put into words just how truly grateful I am for everything you did for me. It means so much more than just some new teeth and less toothaches (although God knows I am very grateful to get rid of those too, because that was a constant in my life for many years.)”

Those heartfelt words are just a sample of how dental Missions of Mercy (MOM) projects are changing the lives of uninsured Virginians statewide.

Taking Mental Health Services on the Road

The ARMS Reach Program (Access to Rural Mental Health Services) takes mental health services “on the road” to low income, uninsured patients. This program sends post-graduate Fellows to rural, often isolated areas to provide counseling services in homes, doctors’ offices, schools and other locations. Transportation and stigma barriers are removed for patients, and the “Fellows” receive the training needed for licensure.

Highland Medical Center

Highland Medical Center (HMC) is a federally funded community health center located in the town of Monterey in Highland County. Funding from VHCF in 1994 helped to establish the center. The medical center’s services to area residents grew stronger following an additional VHCF grant, which allowed the center to hire a full-time dentist.

Dentists Sorely Needed

In the most rural parts of the Virginia, dentists are scarce, making it impossible for everyone to receive care. Lack of education and access to dental care often turn minor dental issues into painful infections. A grant from VHCF helped The Northern Neck Free Health Clinic establish a dental clinic to help those who are in most urgent need.