North Carolina Association of Free and Charitable Clinics

1399 Ashleybrook Lane
Suite 110
Winston-Salem, NC 27103

336-251-1111



CEO
ext. 104

Deputy Director
ext. 101

Cindy Jones , RCP
Director of Training & Support
ext. 103

Office Manager
ext. 102  
ARE YOU ALIGNED?
Randy Jordan, CEO

I finally gave in to my wife’s urging and attended a free yoga class. Now, two months later, I am a card-carrying member of a local yoga center and attend classes once a week. I dabbled in yoga once before through some tapes that I could view in the privacy of my home, but now I walk into a large studio and lay down my yoga mat in front of God and everybody. I learned that the yoga center stands for the principle of “alignment” in its style of yoga teaching in the belief that the human body functions better when all its parts line up in a natural relationship to the others. So to get aligned, I have so far, stretched my hamstrings almost to the point of breaking, splayed my upper torso across a stack of yoga blankets and hung off the ground from a strap and harness plugged into a yoga wall. You know what? It’s true. For a few days after each yoga class, I feel like I walk more erect, my body moves more freely with fewer aches and pains and I am able to get through normal physical activity with greater ease. So, I am enjoying my weekly “alignment” sessions.
 
I think the principle of alignment also applies in the daily work we do in free and charitable clinics to provide healthcare to North Carolinians in need. During last month’s Executive Directors’ Retreat, we were able to see how North Carolina’s free and charitable clinics are aligned with other clinics in the U.S. We learned about the efforts by the current U.S. Congress to reduce federal spending on healthcare. We also heard from our Secretary of DHHS and other state officials about their focus on social determinants of health, the opioid crisis and the needs of children. In some sessions, we talked about ways to fundraise, collaborate with our patients and safety-net partners and gain a greater awareness of the mental health needs of those around us. We also enjoyed the group exercise session challenging us to take better care of ourselves. Admittedly, we may have felt a little awkward or uncomfortable during some of the presentations, but the joyful spirit of working and learning together was evident throughout. Although I expect we have a ways to go, I believe we gained ground on aligning ourselves with the environment that free and charitable clinics are working within and with each other. Like my yoga center, I think NCAFCC plays an important role in helping us stay aligned so that we can more effectively do our important work in local communities. Thanks for allowing us to join you on the journey. Namaste.
ED Retreat 
It was great to see so many of you at the Annual ED Retreat. It was certainly the best retreat I have attended through the Association. A big thank you to Katie and Mark for all of their hard work!

Happy Fall!!
Sissy

News For You and Input for Me
Mark Scheerer, Deputy Director

Isn't in hard to believe it's October and Halloween is just around the corner? As the saying goes, time flies when you're having fun. Or in my case, time flies when you get older.

First, news for you . As Randy and Sissy indicated, this year's ED Retreat proved to be an overwhelming success. I emailed the Power Point presentations to all clinic leaders. If you didn't receive them, let me know and I'll resend. For those who were unable to attend, we have sent meeting materials that were distributed at the retreat.

Two reminders: Be sure to refer to the Members Only section of our website. There are a number of resources available for your use such as templates for a clinic brochure and an infographic both of which can be customized for your clinic. If you have forgotten your username and password just email me and I'll send the information to you.

Second, we have a members only Facebook page that gives you an opportunity to ask questions, get answers and to post anything about your clinic. Just search for "ncafcc member group" and request to be added. I'll then approve the request and you'll be all set to go.

We have two new clinics that have joined the Association. A hearty welcome to The Shalom Project in Winston-Salem and the NeighborHealth Center in Raleigh!

Now input for me...
With our meetings for 2017 finished it's time for us to look to 2018 and I'd appreciate your input The regional meetings held in the spring are for you and for your staff members. To that end, I'd love for you to provide topic suggestions for our third annual regional meetings. Send your comments to [email protected] .

Peace,

Mark
October Updates from Cindy

NCAFCC Annual Outcomes Survey:
The 2017 NCAFCC Annual Outcomes Survey will be made available in November, online completion will be due in February 2018.

The 2016 Annual Outcomes Report went out to the membership on September 27 th and will be placed on the NCAFCC website very soon. This is a great tool for members to compare their individual survey results to their peers and the overall NCAFCC average.
The short story is:      
·          73,451 patients received services
·          165,320 provider visits were made, 86% were medical visits, 8% mental health and 6% dental
·          7,891 volunteers worked 303,341 hours
·          935,670 prescription medications (30 day supply) were provided
·          53% of members had an annual operating budget of $100K – 499,999, 23% of their income was from foundation grants
·          For every $1 spent, $7.20 in healthcare services were provided
·          Average cost per patient was $389.00
·          Average value of services provided to each patient was $2,807
·          Estimated hospital emergency department diversion savings was $90,676,053

Health Gains Outcomes Comparisons for Uncontrolled Diabetes – Patients most recent A1c was > 9% + No A1c Performed
NCAFCC = 24.5%     Wow!
NC HRSA HEALTH CENTERS – FQHC = 31.9%
NC RURAL HEALTH CENTERS = 24.8%
 
Hypertension Control – Patients most recent BP measured < 140/90
NCAFCC = 59.6%     On Par!
NC HRSA HEALTH CENTERS – FQHC = 61.3%
NC RURAL HEALTH CENTERS = 57.5%
 
NCAFCC Accreditation:

Community Care Center of Forsyth County and John P. Murray Community Care Clinic have achieved NCAFCC Re-Accreditation status.  Congratulations!


Coming soon...Regional Meeting Dates




Resources

Starting the Conversation About Medication Access CLICK HERE
 
Uninsured Rate Falls to record lows. CLICK HERE

Is your clinic connected to the NC HIE? Read the latest NC HealthConnex update by CLICKING HERE .

News and Updates from Clinics

Shelter Health Services reports Community Policing and Community Nursing are new techniques to connect and align services with the fabric of the community. Shelter Health Services was selected as the clinical site for this initiative.  CLICK HERE

Chatham CARES held a fundraiser at the Silk Hope Old Fashion Day on September. 2, 2017 along with the Siler City Presbyterian Church donating a 49 inch TV for a raffle. We raised approximately 2,710.  Congratulations!

Missions of Mercy held a free dental clinic collaborating with CCC-Rowan. CLICK HERE to read all about it.

John P. Murray Community Care Clinic has a new Therapeutic Art Program CLICK HERE for more information about this interesting program.

Dr. Steve Crane, volunteer Medical Director of The Free Clinics received the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Award for Health Equity! CLICK HERE to read about the award.
Board of Directors 

Board Chair
Sissy Lee-Elmore, MBA, MPA
WATCH Healthcare Program

Vice Chair
April Cook, MBA
Lake Norman Community Health Clinic

Treasurer
John Price, ORH - Retired

Secretary
Tracy Salisbury
Open Door Clinic of Alamance County

Jerry Hermanson, MBA
Community Care Clinic of Highlands-Cashiers
Tony Price
Moore Free and Charitable Clinic

Sandy Motley
Davidson Medical Ministries Clinic
Past Chair

Michael Lischke, Ed.D., MPH
Northwest AHEC
WFU School of Medicine

Theo McClammy
Caring Community Clinic

John Mills
ECHO

Jacquie Rose
The Free Clinics


 
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