The mission of the Rockbridge Area Health Center is to promote and provide access to comprehensive, high-quality, and affordable healthcare to improve the health and well-being of the greater community.
Anyone who has visited or lived in or around Rockbridge County knows it is an area of immense natural beauty coupled with cultural and intellectual opportunities. With its population of approximately 36,000, three institutions of higher learning, and the continued influx of new residents from across the country, the location gives the appearance of wealth. However, beneath the appearance of wealth exists a substrate of significant poverty.
The City of Buena Vista has traditionally been and remains a working-class town of industry. Rockbridge County has a primarily farming-based economy. This way of life hasnt changed much over the past 60 years, and many of these residents are uninsured. The Rockbridge Area Free Clinic was born in the early 1990s to meet the needs of our area.
In 1992 a group of concerned citizens began to develop the concept of a free clinic in Rockbridge County. They organized interested medical and non-medical community volunteers in a project that became the Rockbridge Area Free Clinic (RAFC). The first clinic was located in the local public health department and continued to grow with the patients it served and the services it provided.
Data from the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in 2012 concluded that Buena Vista, Lexington, and Rockbridge County are all designated as low-income and are considered a Medically Underserved Population and Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas. Low-income is defined by Health Resources and Services Administration as an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. In the Rockbridge area, 38% of residents are low-income.
RAHC along with other community entities continue to assess the health concerns of the community periodically to ensure that current needs are being addressed. The most recent Community Health Assessment was published in 2018.
Health Resources and Services Administration programs provide equitable health care to people who are geographically isolated and economically or medically vulnerable. HRSA programs support health infrastructure, including through training of health professionals and distributing them to areas where they are needed most, providing financial support to health care providers, and advancing telehealth. In addition, HRSA oversees programs for providing discounts on prescription drugs to providers..
The Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF) is a public/private partnership that helps uninsured Virginians and those who live in underserved communities have access to medical, dental, and behavioral health care. With VHCFs support, the Rockbridge Area Health Center has expanded the types of services offered, increased the number of patients able to receive care each year, and serves as a healthcare safety net for our communitys most vulnerable population.
As a local, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, we rely on our communitys support to provide high-quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare to anyone, regardless of income or insurance status, especially our underserved neighbors.
Hired executive director, Suzanne SheridanReceived 3-year grant from VHCF to fund a nurse practitionerReceived special grant from UW to fund a pharmacistApplied for UW member agency statusStarted a quarterly Womens Health Clinic9 service hours per week
Received approval for a USDA Rural Development LoanCompleted constructionMoved into new facility in JulyBegan using a patient data management system Received a grant from Anthem to assist with Diabetes Management
Started Pediatric Dental ProgramIncreased capacity for womens health (Susan G. Komen Grant)Started Group Medical Visits for diabetic patientsHired an additional part-time registered nurseHired a development directorHired patient advocate coordinator
Reopened as an FQHCBegan seeing insured patientsBegan construction and renovation projectImplemented an Electronic Medical RecordCreated a Compliance ProgramEstablished an Outreach and Enrollment Department
Office-Based Opioid Agonist Treatment (OBOT) program launched to provide quality treatment for individuals living with opioid Substance Use DisorderHired 4th dentist23,000 Square foot state-of-the-art renovation and expansion completedRAHC hosts Grand Opening event for expanded facility
Integrated the national program Reach Out and Read into each pediatric well-child visitHired 4th mental health counselor to work with adults and is certified in anger managementHIRED 5TH mental health counselor to work with children ages 5-18Hired a team dedicated to COVID-19 testingAssembled team to oversee administering COVID-19 vaccine to communityExpanded Telehealth servicesAdded a physician and 2 physician assistantsHired a director of nursingHired 3rd dental hygienistReceived the highest level of recognition in Virginia from Health and Human Services for increasing the total number of patients served and number of patients receiving access to comprehensive services.Inaugural Palate, Plate & Pleasure virtual fundraising eventSuzanne Sheridan, CEO recognized for 25 years of service to RAHC
Reviews
Rating 3.3 out of 5 based on 9 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestIndee Painter
2 years ago
The ladies at the front were very nice. The dental assistants were very nice. Dr. AL seemed very short but I chalked it up to him being busy. I went in for three fillings. Dr Al seemed to have a hard time getting my face numb and got rather rough. I left out completely numb and had to return a few hours later due to excruciating pain and my bite being so off it was causing pain in teeth he didn't work on. The next morning the entire side of my face was swollen. I called to see what I should do and was told he was out of town until Tuesday. I went into the Lexington office Friday and saw a different dentist who said the pain/swelling was likely from the roughness when he was doing the work and it should go down. We are at Tuesday and my teeth hurt so bad I want to pull them out myself. I am waiting to hear back from the Lexington office but they mentioned calling in antibiotics. If you're looking for pain and infection, then this is the perfect dentist for you. Otherwise, I'd strongly advise steering clear of this office. I was in no pain at all when I went in for the fillings and now am absolutely miserable with no definite end in sight.
Heather Hutson
2 years ago
Dr.Al did an amazing job on teeth and buddy it was a lot to do!!! I haven't been able to smile in years and I feel more confident than ever!!! Highly recommend!!!
sharlet boyd
2 years ago
I love the staff at Mountain View dentistry. I have always been treated with respect . Dr Al is amazing and gentle.
Bill Russell
2 years ago
Such a nice staff. The reception, dental tech, and Dr. Lovelace were competent, friendly, and professional. All-in-all a great experience and painless filling.
Sarafina Delirium Cosmetics & Reviews
2 years ago
They chipped two of my teeth and refused to return my calls or even acknowledge that they did it! I will never go back. Of course they are associated with Rockbridge Area Health Center and I boycott that place as well. So it doesnt surprise me. Edit: Someone always says to call so and so, that so and so will handle it, but the truth is, no one cares. No one wants to admit ANY FAULT. And they never will!
Sarafina Delirium Cosmetics & Reviews
3 years ago
They chipped two of my teeth and refused to return my calls or even acknowledge that they did it! I will never go back. Of course they are associated with Rockbridge Area Health Center and I boycott that place as well. So it doesnt surprise me. Edit: Someone always says to call so and so, that so and so will handle it, but the truth is, no one cares. No one wants to admit ANY FAULT. And they never will!
Laura Hayes
3 years ago
Unbelievable how my fiance was treated at this practice! I have never in the years we have been together seen him so upset from being treated so bad. Never will any of my family members go there again!
Laura Hayes
4 years ago
Unbelievable how my fiance was treated at this practice! I have never in the years we have been together seen him so upset from being treated so bad. Never will any of my family members go there again!
Ashley Rasmussen
4 years ago
It makes me really sad that I feel put in this position to not put 5 stars, but feedback is feedback. First off, I LOVE dentist Dr. Steven W., he is great and funny and I couldn't ask more from a dental professional. My issue has been with the front desk and policy. If you have 3 missed appointments, you are no longer allowed to make appointments, you have to call EVERY DAY to see if they have cancellations. NO one has time for that. I understand that policies are put in place for a reason, but there also should be some middle ground, right? I completely forgot about one appointment, I'm human, I forgot, I'm sorry. The other two appointments I KNEW I couldn't make them and I tried calling more than 24 hours ahead of time to cancel and reschedule. No one answered. I left a voicemail. No one called back. I called again. Again, no answer. By the time someone got back to me, the appointment time had come and gone. It was NOT my fault, I tried contacting someone to cancel within a timely manner. Their front desk phone number is also not easily found online and by the time I had the most direct number to contact them, it was too late. I now can't see the dentist that my insurance takes in town, that is down the street from me, that I already have history with, that I enjoyed going to. I have to find a NEW dentist that is most likely an hour away, and I have to start over just for me to move out of state in 2 months. I am beyond disappointed and angry that they are absolutely unwilling to work with me.
Jason Hill
4 years ago
Love the staff - super friendly
Ashley Rasmussen
5 years ago
It makes me really sad that I feel put in this position to not put 5 stars, but feedback is feedback. First off, I LOVE dentist Dr. Steven W., he is great and funny and I couldn't ask more from a dental professional. My issue has been with the front desk and policy. If you have 3 missed appointments, you are no longer allowed to make appointments, you have to call EVERY DAY to see if they have cancellations. NO one has time for that. I understand that policies are put in place for a reason, but there also should be some middle ground, right? I completely forgot about one appointment, I'm human, I forgot, I'm sorry. The other two appointments I KNEW I couldn't make them and I tried calling more than 24 hours ahead of time to cancel and reschedule. No one answered. I left a voicemail. No one called back. I called again. Again, no answer. By the time someone got back to me, the appointment time had come and gone. It was NOT my fault, I tried contacting someone to cancel within a timely manner. Their front desk phone number is also not easily found online and by the time I had the most direct number to contact them, it was too late. I now can't see the dentist that my insurance takes in town, that is down the street from me, that I already have history with, that I enjoyed going to. I have to find a NEW dentist that is most likely an hour away, and I have to start over just for me to move out of state in 2 months. I am beyond disappointed and angry that they are absolutely unwilling to work with me.
Jason Hill
5 years ago
Love the staff - super friendly
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