News – Page 2 – Arlington Free Clinic

Over the course of Arlington Free Clinic’s 30-year history, the strength of its enduring success can be attributed to the support — each step of the way — from its incredible clinical partners. Northern Virginia Radiology Consultants (NVRC) has been one of those partners from the very beginning. With the partnership beginning under the leadership of Russell E. McWey, M.D., NVRC (based at VHC Health), has provided the highest quality diagnostic and interventional radiology services at no cost to AFC patients.

The core services provided through the partnership include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, mammography, and other specialized radiology-related diagnostic studies. Each service offered by NVRC doctors to AFC patients is delivered from a foundation of trust and respect that has been built over three decades.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr. McWey noted, “We don’t separate one patient from the other. So, whether they come from AFC or somewhere else, we take care of everybody. The care is the same. Everybody needs care and that’s what we’re here for.”

Dr. McWey joined VHC in 1987 and now serves as Chief of Medical Imaging and Director of Interventional Radiology. He has served nearly 20 years on VHC’s Board, and in 2020 was named chair. While serving as VHC’s Chief Information Officer, Dr. McWey also played a critical role in connecting the Clinic to NVRC and VHC through the Epic electronic health records system. This integration moved AFC forward substantially and vastly improved the communication of patient information between partners. Outside providers no longer have to wait for patient records to be shared and in urgent situations everyone has background information needed at their fingertips.

“I think it’s been a really cooperative effort to serve this community, and … people really appreciate what AFC has done, not just because of its altruism, but because it provides a good service in care that people wouldn’t get otherwise,” Dr. McWey said. AFC’s sustained ability to care for those in greatest need — as effectively and for as long as it has — would not be possible without committed partners like NVRC.

Earlier this year at a friend-raiser event hosted by an AFC donor, our new CEO Lesley was approached by the caterer. The young woman asked if Lesley worked for Arlington Free Clinic. When Lesley said yes, the woman’s eyes lit up. She shared that AFC had taken care of her mother many years ago and without that assistance, her mother would not be here today. She then waved over an older woman and introduced her to Lesley. Myriam, her mother, was just as excited to say hello. Neither knew when they booked the work that the purpose of the event was to celebrate AFC, but they were thrilled when they arrived and realized they could contribute to the community support.

Myriam is now more than ten years past her diagnosis, surgery, and treatment. She is now officially retired and relishes each and every moment she gets to spend with her grandchildren. Still, every once in a while, she does a little part-time work and sometimes helps her daughter with her catering business, which is what brought her to this very event.

Originally from Bolivia, Myriam has lived and worked in Arlington for over 35 years raising her daughters and grandchildren in her vibrant and supportive community. However, in 2013 she started feeling unwell. She had constant nausea, and she couldn’t eat anything. She could only stomach sipping ginger ale. Her family worried about her and, ultimately, her daughters took her to the VHC emergency department when it was clear things were not improving.

After meeting with physicians and completing a CT scan, the diagnosis was pancreatic cancer. Myriam did not yet know her prognosis. She says that her faith helped her to accept whatever the outcome may have been, but she immediately thought of her family and the milestones she might miss. And like many facing a serious medical diagnosis, she worried about the cost. Myriam worked as an independent contractor and did not have health insurance. Cancer treatment would be expensive and potentially inaccessible.

But there was some good news. The cancer had not spread, making surgery the ideal treatment. VHC referred Myriam to Arlington Free Clinic, where our case manager, Matt Kennedy, worked closely with Myriam and her family to set up a treatment plan and made sure she got the care she needed. He even made sure she was able to have her medical clearance appointment before surgery, despite a snowstorm that shut everything down that day, and thanks to a volunteer physician who made it through the snow to his office to see her.

Thanks to our partnership with VHC, Myriam underwent a 13-hour surgery there with Dr. Hatem Halabi, a leading surgical oncologist who specializes in highly technical surgeries on advanced cancers. After the surgery, Myriam steadfastly pursued further treatment with chemotherapy and radiation with Dr. Robert Christie at Virginia Cancer Specialists, followed by physical therapy at AFC.

“I feel so blessed,” Myriam said. “Some people suffer because they are alone. And I am beyond grateful to AFC.”

Our chance encounter with Myriam highlights how AFC’s patients are an integral part of the community and how their strength and resilience have an impact that spans generations.