AFC has provided free, high-quality healthcare to low-income, uninsured Arlington County adults for more than 25 years, and though COVID-19 turned its world upside down, it knew that patients facing cancer, diabetes, or heart disease still needed treatment. With volunteers sheltering at home (they conduct virtual appointments, medical reviews, and serve as telephone interpreters) AFC’s part-time nurse practitioner began working full-time and retired staff nurses returned to screen patients, address mental health needs, and develop crisis response protocols. Dental staff see emergency cases and flex into other roles as needed. Many patients are struggling with access to food, transportation, and other emergency needs so AFC connects them to local resources. As we move through this crisis, so much is unpredictable: what was true yesterday is outdated today. What’s certain is that AFC will continue meeting the healthcare needs of our community’s most vulnerable neighbors.
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