Press Information: WAGE 1200 AM Medical Report

Medical Report from the local Free Clinic
Our local medical facility for the uninsured marks a good year & sets higher sights for 2005. The Loudoun Free Clinic announced a 20 percent patient increase for 2004- based on numbers through November.

The Clinic reported that those 21 hundred-plus clients caused some procedural changes- like appointments for daytime eligibility interviews- allowing more time for examinations during clinical hours.

The facility- at the Cornwall Hospital Campus in Leesburg- added a new day Clinic on Mondays as well- taking appointments from 10 to two- offering specialized care for diabetes patients. The local medical resource uses space donated by Loudoun Healthcare.

The Community Free Clinic shared some positive fundraising results from the past year. These included an 82 thousand dollar take at last spring’s Starlite Ball at Lansdowne- & 15 thousand dollars in contributions at this past fall’s Harvest of Hope Barn Dance in Bluemont.

The Clinic welcomed a new Volunteer Coordinator in Bonnie Dowling. We understand she also works with the local homeless shelter- the Good Shepherd Alliance- as their Director of Rural Outreach.

The Free Clinic lists ongoing volunteer needs in medical doctors- due to relocations for some of their physicians, an experienced grant writer for biennial submissions and dinner donations on patient nights. Other items on the wish list include a digital camera, water cooler service, antique refinishing, a wall-mounted blood pressure cuff, professional otoscopes & ophthalmoscopes and metal band aid boxes.

Executive Director Lyle Werner called for more state funding for the 46 Free Clinics in Virginia.
She described the vast majority of Free Clinic patients as working adults- trying to take care of their families. The Director assured that this pattern holds true for Loudoun County. Lyle Werner stated that these individuals make ends meet- but fail to pay for healthcare- or have none offered to them.

She cited that many patients suffer from one or more chronic ailments that require ongoing medical care & prescription needs- provided by the Free Clinic at no cost.

The Director announced every dollar received in funding for the Pharmacy Program generating 53 dollars in expenditures.

Lyle Werner reported every dollar raised representing five dollars in healthcare services to the Community. She listed a two million dollar figure for last year. The Director envisioned a level of three & a half million dollars in the upcoming- increased- forecast- based on a budget of six hundred thousand dollars.

Loudoun Senator Bill Mims offered commendations for the efforts of Free Clinics in the Commonwealth- including the facility in Leesburg.

He recalled a point- early in his legislative tenure- when just one Free Clinic existed in Virginia. The Senator announced the present time as the mid-point of his second decade in the General Assembly.

Bill Mims praised Werner’s description of the services- in a modest expenditure & huge difference.
The Loudoun Free Clinic runs every Wednesday & Thursday evening- 5:30 to nine- at the Cornwall Campus in Leesburg.

You can reach the facility at 703-777-5416- or hit their site at www.loudounfreeclinic.org.