Virginia Health Care Foundation

10/24/2025

Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association's “Behavioral Health in Virginia: Transforming Access, Care, and Outcomes” highlights how hospitals and health systems are addressing the challenges presented by the Commonwealth’s growing behavioral health demands while also identifying ways community-based organizations, public agencies and other stakeholders can partner with hospitals and health systems to create sustainable and responsive systems for all Virginians.

A new report examining behavioral health trends in Virginia by VHHA has found a significant five-year increase in hospital admissions for depression, PTSD, drug use and autism spectrum disorder.

Read more at Augusta Free Press LLC: https://augustafreepress.com/news/report-growing-demand-for-behavioral-health-services-in-virginia/

10/23/2025

VHCF is grateful our CEO Rachel Rees was able to be a part of the Virginia Center for Health Innovation's Virginia Primary Care Summit. If you were unable to attend, recordings of all the presentations are now available on the Virginia Primary Care Innovation Hub.

https://pcinnovationhub.mn.co/landing?from=https%3A%2F%2Fpcinnovationhub.mn.co%2Fspaces%2F21123385%2F

10/21/2025

The VHCF Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Scholarship is a game changer for NPs interested in pursuing a career in behavioral health without assuming more debt.

Curtis Hodges, DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC was awarded a VHCF scholarship and obtained his post-Masters Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate from Radford University in 2023. He shares his experience:

“The Virginia Health Care Foundation Scholarship allowed me to further my education without assuming a significant financial burden. I love being a PMHNP at New Horizons Healthcare as it allows me the opportunity to care for a diverse patient population with diverse mental health care needs.”

Contact PsychNP@vhcf.org to apply. Applicants interested in starting during the spring 2026 semester should apply by November 1.

10/20/2025

VHCF staff Kathryn Zapach and Andrea Lancaster enjoyed convening with public health leaders, advocates, providers, and key stakeholders from across the Commonwealth at last week’s 2025 Catalyst Annual Summit. Congratulations to the Virginia Health Catalyst team for hosting a successful event packed with insightful speakers, bold ideas and strategies to improve health for all Virginians.

10/15/2025

Registration is open for the Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics’ 2025 Annual Conference! This year’s event will be held in Roanoke November 16 - 18. If you are a VAFCC member, you may be able to attend at no cost!

VAFCC members are eligible to apply for reimbursement for one conference registration per clinic through VHCF’s Professional Development Assistance Program. For more information on how to apply:https://www.vhcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Professional-Development-Assistance-Overview.pdf

Registration closes November 3 – Register today: https://www.vafreeclinics.org/event

Our Annual Conference theme this year is “Sustaining Care in Turbulent Times: Bolstering the Healthcare Safety Net” and will focus on equipping free and charitable clinics with the tools, insights, and partners needed to build long-term financial and operational sustainability. We will spotlight strategies and practices that fuel clinic growth, empowering them to move beyond survival and toward long-term impact despite rising demand and limited resources.

There is still time to register and join us in Roanoke this November 16-18!
https://www.vafreeclinics.org/annual-conference

10/14/2025

If you have used The Pharmacy Connection (TPC) software or attended a VHCF event, odds are, you have met Lisa Hueston. For the better part of her 23 years at VHCF, Lisa’s focus has been on supporting clinics and organizations utilizing TPC. From technical assistance to understanding the ins and outs of the various pharmaceutical companies’ patient assistance programs, Lisa has worked tirelessly to ensure TPC users can support their patients in obtaining necessary prescription medicines. Join us in celebrating Lisa’s work anniversary and her 23 years of service. 🙌 🥳

10/08/2025

📣 Calling all Nurse Practitioners! 📣

Are you ready to advance your career and provide in-demand mental health services to Virginians in need?

If so, VHCF offers full scholarships for motivated nurse practitioners (NPs) to earn a post-Master’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate at an accredited school of nursing.

This is a great opportunity to receive valuable behavioral health training and help address a huge unmet need in Virginia.

VHCF is accepting applications now! Applicants interested in starting during the spring 2026 semester should apply by November 1.

Ready to apply or need more information? Contact PsychNP@vhcf.org

Learn more about Virginia’s shortage of mental health professionals:https://www.vhcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/BH-Assessment-Final-1.11.2022.pdf

10/07/2025

💻 Get the tools you need to help Virginians access and keep their health coverage. Our SignUpNow workshops give you step-by-step training on Virginia Medicaid and FAMIS programs.

Choose the right session for your work:
➡️ SignUpNow – Medicaid/FAMIS workshops: Learn eligibility requirements, application procedures, and post-enrollment steps for children and families.
➡️ SignUpNow – ABD workshops: Understand coverage for Virginia’s Aged, Blind, or Disabled Medicaid groups.

Register today to secure your spot: https://www.vhcf.org/workshops/

10/07/2025

Thank you, National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (NAFC), for convening 400+ healthcare safety net professionals from across the county and hosting another great symposium!

VHCF staff, Lisa and Liana, made incredible connections and caught up with old friends at the NAFC 2025 Charitable Healthcare Symposium while showcasing how The Pharmacy Connection (TPC) can help clinics obtain free and low-cost medications and supplies.

If you didn’t connect with VHCF at the conference, you can join us virtually for a demonstration and learn how TPC can support your clinic’s patient assistance efforts. To learn more about TPC: https://www.vhcf.org/for-those-who-help/the-pharmacy-connection/

Pictured with VHCF staff: Lackey Clinic, Direct Relief, and Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic

10/02/2025

Happy ! Meet one of our newly licensed Boost! participants: Jasmin Nelson, LCSW

Jasmin has many years of direct clinical practice in the Child Welfare and Medical social work arenas. In her role at Inova Fairfax Hospital, she collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and community partners to support children, adolescents, and adults living with various mental health diagnoses and social determinants of health impacting their quality of life and emotional well-being.

As a licensed therapist, she plans to continue serving at-risk youth transitioning into adulthood and supporting the aging population and their families.

The Boost! program has helped Jasmin to build professional connections and complete supervision without any financial barriers. Outside of work, Jasmin enjoys traveling, going to concerts, and spending time with family and friends.

Learn more about Boost!, VHCF's initiative that pays for the licensure-required Supervision of motivated Residents in Counseling or Marriage and Family Therapy or Supervisees in Social Work: https://www.vhcf.org/boost200/

10/01/2025

VHCF enjoyed hosting our Project Connect teams in Richmond last week! Outreach workers from across the state gathered to hear presentations from both Virginia Poverty Law Center and Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) as well as spend time networking with each other.

Project Connect grants are made possible with funding from the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.

Learn more about Project Connect: https://www.vhcf.org/for-those-who-help/what-we-fund/project-connect-grants/

09/30/2025

Meet Dr. Billy Owen, one of our Sign Up, Pay Down dentists who recently joined the staff at the Northern Neck - Middlesex Free Health Clinic in Visit Kilmarnock, VA.

After graduating from Virginia Tech, Dr. Owen worked as a chemical engineer prior to pursuing a career in dentistry. Dr. Owen is a graduate of VCU Dentistry, where he completed the Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine Senior Selective. His clinical passions include restorative dentistry and patient education for disease prevention. Outside the clinic, Dr. Owen enjoys spending time with his wife, dogs, and cats, and is also an avid runner and musician.

We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Owen to the dental safety net community and grateful for his commitment to serving Virginians in the Northern Neck.

Sign Up, Pay Down is made possible by generous support from United Concordia Dental and Delta Dental Foundation of Virginia. This initiative addresses the significant challenges facing Virginia’s dental safety-net clinics recruiting dentists in a highly competitive market.

Learn more about this initiative: https://www.vhcf.org/2023/06/13/8563/