BFC Newsletter & Annual Report Fall 2017

Wellness Advocates Encourage Patients

New to WAP this Fall is the launch of our inaugural WAP Gradute Program for past participants who wish to continue making positive lifestyle changes for their health. Led by Carilion Internal Medicine Resident, Dr. Scott Feldman, the WAP Graduate Program establishes a judgement-free, group environment where patients can discuss daily challenges, strategize objectives and goals, and share success stories. In the Fall 2016 and Spring 2017 cycles, 18 BFC patients participated in WAP. This Fall, 9 BFC patients are participating in WAP, 11 are enrolled in our Graduate Program and we anticipate over 20 new WAP participants in Spring 2018. If the increase in WAP participants doesn’t demonstrate this program’s success, then we will let the data tell all. In the last two WAP cycles, 66% of participants lost weight and 55% saw a decrease in their HbA1c values - an impressive achievement for our patients!

consultation. With the addition of WAP, BFC patients are able to receive an additional level of engagement and care, fostering positive relationships that encourage patients to take ownership of their health and make the behavior modifications necessary to improve their conditions. More importantly, this program facilitates discussions about the social determinants of health and the environmental barriers to care management our patients may face. Over the course of the 12-week program, WAP participants meet one-on-one with a volunteer JCHS Physician Assistant student who serves as a Wellness Advocate. Together, participants and Advocates set personalized goals, address clinical comorbidites and review diet and exercise. Each participant also receives a series of incentives to encourage meaningful participation including a cook book, blood pressure monitor, pedometer, grocery store card, new cross-trainers generously donated by Fleet Feet Roanoke, and more.

BFC’s internal grassroots effort to combat obesity rates in the Roanoke Valley, also known as the Wellness Advocate Program (WAP), is going into its 3rd year of operation. The primary collaborative effort is with Jefferson College of Health Sciences Physician Assistant and Virginia Tech Carilion Internal Medicine Residency programs. These two educational institutions provide the volunteer support needed to keep this program running smoothly. Before WAP, BFC was only treating patients’ chronic illnesses including morbid obesity with prescription drugs and medical JCHS PA candidates and Student Directors of WAP, Chadwick Kanney and Tyler Kemp (left/right), Carilion Resident and Volunteer Director of WAP Graduate Program, Scott Feldman, M.D. (middle).

Docs Rocks Fashion Turns Heads As volunteers and supporters for Bradley Free Clinic, our Docs always rock…in all they do… especially as they stripped off their white coats and donned the latest fashions for BFC's inaugural DOCS ROCK FASHION SHOW fundraiser, held April 1, 2017 at Roanoke Country Club! An amazing volunteer team that included Estelle Avner, Susan Bucher, Preeti Kashaul, Dr. Cathy Ford McClung, Christy Pace, Owen Weaver, Libba Wolfe and Co-Chairs Winn Ballenger and Pat Houghton created and produced this fabulous event. Prior to last fall, some of the team had never met each other let alone created and produced a fashion show! Fueled with enthusiasm and love for BFC, they emerged as quite a force, meeting for nearly five months to create and orchestrate what turned out to be an enormous success! The event featured 30 prominent area physicians and dentists, owning the catwalk as models outfitted with unique accessories and newest formalwear, sportswear and leisurewear from local retailers. Silent and live auctions were ongoing throughout the evening. To quote Libba Wolfe, “The party caught fire from the very beginning...it was a great crowd and everybody was having fun and totally into it!” The night was, indeed, a tremendous success, grossing well over $115,000 in corproate sponsorships, donations and ticket sales. A special thanks to our emcees Karen McNew Mcguire of Carilion Carilion and David Page of Q99, new BFC Board member Todd Marcum for designs and promotion activities, Evonne Plebuch for directing the models, and to all our sponsors and volunteers.

Join us for next year's show, Saturday April 14, 2018! You won't regret it!

Your Dedicated BFC Team Pictured left to right: Mike Reynolds, Janine Underwood, Mark Lainoff, Chelsea Kunkel, Danielle Cohan, Erica Bell, Donna Otey, Donna Miller, Brendle Wolfe, Penny Wheeler, Gary Bilbro, Cindy Vernon, Sarah Yeargan, James Black (not pictured: Preeti Kaushal & Bridget Proutey)

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