Community Health Center August 2020

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(print on CHCNRV letterhead and add my photo that you have)

Dear Friends,

Providing affordable and high quality medical, dental, behavioral and preventive health services to people of all ages and circumstances, regardless of ability to pay. Providing affordable and high quality medical, dental, behavioral and preventive health services to people of all ages and circumstances, regardless of ability to pay. “W an rise ab ve the discord and wrangling in Richmond and Washington DC, and demonstrate that as August 2020 You may not realize it, but you have important people in your life who receive their health care at the Community Health Center of the New River Valley because no other option is affordable and close to home . It could be your student, your grocery clerk, your maintenance man, your book club friend, your hair stylist, your dad, or your daughter... As we wait to see what a possible political solution to the health care dilemma might e this year, we c n be proactiv and take a stand for the wellbeing of our own friends and neighbors. As you consider what charities to support this holiday s ason, please consider us – your local charitable health ca e clinic. Founded as the Free Clinic of the New River Valley in 1982, the Community Health Center remains at the heart of the New River Valley’s health care safety n t for our neighbors most in need. We are the only comprehensive n n rofit charity-driven clinic serving the resid nts of Montgomery, Giles, and Pulaski Counties and the City of Radford. The Community Health Center of the New River Valley. Safe, accessible, and compassionate health care for all of us ― Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Dear Friends of the Community Health Center of the New River Valley, When reflecting on the developments of the past six months, I keep coming back to our name. The “Community” in our name means a lot, especially when a community struggles to cope with a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic that has rocked everyone’s sense of health and security. To us, “community” means: • Everyone and always, with compassion and humanity • Being responsive, working hard, and doing what is needed, whatever it takes. Our mission has always been to serve, not to make money. That is what sets us apart and puts us at the true center this New River Valley community. When COVID-19 first emerged, we understood the central role we had to play. Because of our unique responsibility for providing health care to those who may struggle, it was clear that we needed to stay open and accessible, even while other practices were temporarily shutting down. So, we did. Overnight, we adjusted processes to abide by state and federal guidelines, assuring the safety of our patients and our staff. At lightning speed, we developed a robust telehealth program, for medical, behavioral health, and even some dental appointments. We foraged for elusive protective gear, and promptly erected physical changes to our facilities to ensure everyone’s well-being. Our team of clinicians, support staff, and administrators put in this colossal effort because we know and care about our patients and are concerned for them. We knew that so many of them could not postpone their health care for even a few weeks, much less a few months. We had to have a safe way to treat the construction worker who stepped on a rusty nail, the grocery clerk with an abscessed tooth, or the suicidal teenager. Our 5,110 patients—your neighbors and friends in this New River Valley—all were depending on us to keep them safe and well, even during a catastrophic global health crisis. We have changed for the better. We are stronger than ever. We were here for you yesterday, we are here for you today, and we will be here for you tomorrow. Whether you receive care from our Health Center, or simply support our mission of equitable health care for all, we want you to know that we are in this for you—our Community. We wish you comfort and health during these challenging times, ear Friends of the Community Health Center of the New River Valley, We’re all paying attention to the news of Virginia’s expansion of Medicaid eligibility that occurred n January 1, 2019. What you may not ave learned from th m dia is t imp ct that Medicaid expansio is having on our own communities of the New River Valley. Let me paint the “before” and “after” pictures for you. In the first six months of 2018, we had 1,093 n w patients walk in our doors and receive health care. Of them, only 326 (30 percent) had Medicaid coverage. Contrast that with the first six months of 2019. Over the past six months, we have served 1,285 brand new patients and 467 (36 percent) of these individuals have Medicaid coverage. Clearly, local people are signing-up, and many are choosing us as their medical home. And they should! We do not limit the number of patient we serve based on whether they have health insurance, or what type of insurance they have. We do no have “panels” of c rtain types of patients that limit our availability. We are here to serve everyone—we have a “doors wide open” policy. f course, having wide open doors means we are very busy! In 2018 we served 4,174 unduplicate p tients. In 2019, we are on target to s rve 5,200 unduplica ed patients—a 25 percent increa e. Some of this growth is attributable to Medicaid expansion, but some is due to the opening of our new dental unit in Dublin (read more about this wonderful development inside) and the increased number of mental health staff at each facility. This is a very exciting time at the Community Health Center. We are growing to m et the needs of this entire community and we could not be more thrilled. Please visit any one of our sites in Christiansburg, Pearisburg, or Dublin, and witness the magic of compassionate health care equity at work in your backyard. In Good Health, MEDICAID EXPANSION at the CHCNRV Last year, our health center provided 3,963 dental visits to 1,649 people— people who otherwise might be standing in line at an annual weekend event for a one-time intervention by a volunteering dentist. Our two permanent, fully-staffed, dental clinics are a real olution, not a stop-gap measure. Yet, because two-t irds f the patie ts we see in our dental clinics re uninsured and pay only a nominal fee, these are financially challenging operations. In order to stay afloat, we must find a way to subsidize most of the costs for a majority of the dental patients who walk through our doors. Our organization’s roots are evident in our co tinuing mission: To provide affordable and high quality medical, dental, behavioral and preventive health services to people of all ages and circumstances, regardless of ability to pay or insurance status. As always, we thank you for your support of ou nonprofit organization, and your partnership in ensuring equitable health care access to all who call our New River Valley home. Warm Regards, Last year, our health center provided 3,963 dental visits to 1,649 people —people who otherwise might be standing in line at an annual weekend event for a one-time intervention by a volunteering dentist. Our two permanent, fully-staffed, charity-based dental clinics are a real solution, not a stop- gap measure. Yet, because two-thirds of the patients we see in our dental clinics are uninsured and pay only a nominal fee, these are financially challenging operations. In order to stay afl at, we must fin a way to subsidiz most of the costs for a majority of the dental patients who walk through our doors. To help us keep our dental doors wide open, please consider a contribution to our Community Health Center, specifically for th operating costs of our dental safety net sites in Christiansburg and Pearisburg. A response card is enclosed. O r Christiansburg dental f cility—a permane t and affor able dental home. Our organization’s roots are evident in our continuing mission: To provide affordable and high quality medical, dental, behavioral and preventive health services to people of all ages and circumstances, regardless of ability to pay or insurance status. As always, we thank you for your support of our nonprofit organization, and your partnership in ensuring equitable health care access to all who call our New River Valley home. (photo of d ntal services being rendered to an adult patient by one of our dentists) Our Christiansburg dental facility—a permanen and affordabl den al hom . Our nonprofit organization’s Mission is to provide affordable and high quality medical, dental, behavioral, and preventive health care services to people of all ages and circumstances, regardless of ability to pay. Simply put, we believe that health care is the right of every person. Period. Chari y, not profit, is our bottom line. Over half of our patients re u insured and low-income. Last year, e provided $921,441 in uncompensated charity care services . This is the minimum amount we must raise every year through fundraising. We need the financial support of our community in order to con inue to operate with a “Doors Wide Open” policy. Our Patient Assistance Fund is where individuals can direct their contributions to any uninsured, low income person seeking care. These funds pay for the medical, dental, and behavioral health visits of those with significant financial barriers. Please consider us as you make out your charitable contribution list this year. A donation card is enclosed for your co venience. Contributi ns are tax-deductible. You can write a check or pay with a credit card, or pay online. If you wish your gift to be in honor or in memory of a special person, we will reach out o them with new f your gift. Thank you agai for your consideration and wishing you and yours the happi st of hol days, and healthy and prosperous 2018. individuals, we are not content to watch our Tracy Cohn Board Chair Dental Unit Now Open at our Dublin Site Coming in the Fall August 2019 neighbors in the New River Valley go without life-saving health care.” See How We’ve Gr wn!

A “Floss-Cutting” was held at our new dental unit on Rt. 11 in Dublin on April 24 th .

Our newest Health Center site in Dublin on Rt.11 is wonderful in every way—except tha not have room for a dental unit. The space was only large enough for medical and behav health services—and we did not have sufficient funds to include a dental unit in the plan.

Introduction of retinal scanning - innovative technology for patient eye exams! Th CHCNRV plans to send Community Health Workers into the NRV to assist Medicare patients. More to come! Coming in the F ll

Warm Regards,

Michelle Brauns, Chief Executive Officer Michelle Brauns, MS, APR Chief Executive Officer Michelle Brauns ichelle Brauns Chief Executive Officer e le Brauns C i f Executive Officer

Tracy Cohn

Chair, Board of Directors

Tracy Cohn

Chief Executive Officer 215 Roanoke Street | Christiansburg, Virginia 24073 | Ph: 540.381.0820 | Fax: 540.382.3391 | CHCNRV.org Chair, Board of Directors

Patient Story: Dental Emergencies During the Days of COVID-19

severely abscessed tooth. Our dentist immediately phoned in a prescription for an antibiotic to get the infection under control and provide some pain relief. We scheduled a root canal, and this saved the tooth. Katie was immensely grateful for our help. She remarked that she was astonished by our brand-new state-of-the-art facility and professional staff. She has since referred her two sisters to our Dublin site, and has made appointments for the kids, as well. Our Director of Dental Programs, Laura Jirsa, says that this patient is one of hundreds that have been served by the Center’s dental program during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic. “People have not stopped having oral health emergencies during the COVID-19 crisis. In the past, folks with excruciating dental pain often took themselves to an emergency department. During COVID, however, people are fearful to go to a hospital. They stay away and postpone care, putting themselves at severe risk. An untreated abscessed tooth can spread bacteria to other places in the body, which is potentially life-threatening. Thankfully, Katie found us in time.”

Katie is a 37-year old nurse at a New River Valley hospital and is a Pulaski resident. Her employer provides good health and dental insurance. She had been a patient of a local family dentist for over ten years. Early in April 2020, when fear and anxiety regarding the coronavirus pandemic were first peaking, she began experiencing severe throbbing pain in a back molar. The pain kept her from sleeping and working. It also kept her from going to an emergency room, as she was scared to enter a hospital as a patient. She was comfortable providing medical care in full protective gear as a nurse, but was frightened about what might await her as a patient in a busy ER. She also had two children that she knew she had to keep safe. When Katie called her regular dentist, the office denied her an appointment because of her work in a hospital setting. Desperate to find some relief and to save the tooth, she called multiple dental offices in the area. All were closed or refused to see her right away because she was not their established patient. Fortunately, she called our Dublin Center and we were able to serve her the same day she contacted us. When she arrived, her face was visibly swollen and tender, and the throbbing radiated down her neck. She had a

Dr. Ravi Lingineni Joins our Dental Team in Giles Dr. Lingineni has joined our Pearisburg Center. He provides general dentistry services to patients of all ages. Dr. Lingineni received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of Southern California and his Master of Public Health from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. He joined us this summer from a practice in Indiana. Dr. Lingineni moved to Virginia to be closer to family – especially since he has a new baby boy! In his downtime, Dr. Lingineni enjoys playing tennis, badminton, and cricket, spending time with family and friends and reading. He believes in educating his patients regarding preventive dental care and treatment of dental problems.

Welcome Dr. Lingineni!

Six Years of Phenomenal Growth at the Community Health Center of the New River Valley It has been over six years since we made the ambitious leap from free clinic to community health center. And the growth of the organization has been extraordinary. In 2014, we served 1,997 unduplicated patients. Last year, we served 5,110 unduplicated patients. Over 3,000 more people were treated last year than any year as a free clinic. If you lined up 3,000 individuals, it would stretch down 30 football fields. That is a lot of your friends and neighbors who depend on us to keep them healthy! The number of patient visits has been even more remarkable. In 2014, we provided 5,076 patient visits. Fewer than 2% were for behavioral health services. In contrast, last year we provided 17,273 patient visits. Of these, 20% were behavioral health services, and 46% were for dental services. This reflects not just our growth in capacity, but also our growth in breadth of services offered. Our goal of providing the highest quality integrated head-to-toe services for each patient is being realized. Of course, all services are provided on a sliding fee scale, with fees based upon family income and size. No one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay.

Growthof the CommunityHealthCenter of theNewRiver Valley 2014-2019 Growthof the CommunityHealthCenter of theNewRiver Valley 2014-2019

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DONATE FOR EQUITABLE CARE Please consider joining us in our mission to ensure equitable health care in the New River Valley. A contribution card is provided, and every contribution is tax deductible. Call us if you would like to discuss various gift options and the benefits to you and to our organization.

Our newest dentist is an old friend.

Contact us: Montgomery County 215 Roanoke Street Christiansburg, VA 24073 540-381-0820 Giles County 219 South Buchanan Street Pearisburg, VA 24134 540-921-3502 Radford/Pulaski County 5826 Ruebush Road Dublin, VA 24084 540-585-1310 www.chcnrv.org Interested in Becoming a CHCNRV Patient? Visit our website at chcnrv.org, for instructions on becoming a patient. We welcome all individuals – with or without insurance. We focus on: family general dental care, primary medical care, women’s health and behavioral health care. And now many of our services can be offered through telehealth. We also can provide assistance in registering for various insurances through our Marketplace Exchange service.

MEDICAL | DENTAL | MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

We welcome Dr. Josh Pennington to the Community Health Center of the New River Valley. He returns to Southwest Virginia after completing dental school at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ. His experience includes work with providers in both Arizona and Virginia, including Team Smile, New Horizons, Arizona Community Dental Clinic, and many others. A graduate of Radford University and a former volunteer at The Community Health Center, Dr. Pennington has moved back home with his wife Leigh and new son Corbin. Josh enjoys hunting, fishing, backpacking, and playing the guitar. Welcome home, Dr. Pennington!

chcnrv.org

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Community Health Center accepts patients with or without insurance.

215 Roanoke Street | Christiansburg, Virginia 24073 | Ph: 540.381.0820 | Fax: 540.382.3391 | CHCNRV.org

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