After more than 30 years, Jim Cole, President & CEO of Virginia Hospital Center (VHC), will be retiring this fall. During his tenure, Jim has led the Hospital’s transformation from a small community facility to an award-winning medical center, nationally recognized for clinical excellence and outstanding patient care. He should be commended for the many accolades that VHC has earned under his direction—as well as for the culture of giving and volunteerism at the Hospital, fostered under his leadership, including a deep support of AFC.Jim has always been totally supportive of AFC and was an active board member in the mid-nineties. From VHC’s initial gift of $150,000 in donated lab tests and x-rays (what made it possible for AFC to begin providing care out of Thomas Jefferson Middle School in 1994), Jim has increased VHC’s commitment each year— nowadays, VHC gives several million dollars in diagnostics and treatment annually! In addition to the abundant in-kind support, Jim also made sure that the Hospital financially contributed through the purchase of a premium table at the Gala each year. He always attended.
More recently, Jim generously offered to bring AFC onto Epic, VHC’s electronic health record, at the Hospital’s expense. Combined with his facilitation of a high-speed internet connection between VHC and AFC, this will ensure smooth communication between healthcare professionals and lead to even better outcomes.
Thanks to Jim Cole’s leadership, our low-income neighbors have access to the same high-quality healthcare that all of us enjoy— regardless of their ability to pay. We wish Jim a happy, well-deserved retirement and congratulate him on an amazing legacy: a healthier Arlington for everyone.
Read our entire 2021 Spring Newsletter
Coming to the Table: Addressing Food Insecurity During the Pandemic
AFC’s Vaccine Clinics
Patient Story: Maria
Letter from the President: Arlington Free Clinic’s Role in Ensuring Vaccine Equity
Transitioning to a Post-COVID-19 World Through a Mix of Virtual & Onsite Care
COVID-19: Year in Review
Spring 2021 Updates