Ferrum, Virginia - The Laurel Fork Health Commission,
Ferrum College and residents of the village of Ferrum are pleased
to announce the opening of the Ferrum Community Health Center (FCHC)
and Ferrum Community Pharmacy to the public on January 22, 2007. The
Health Center will provide medical and pharmacy services to the residents
of Ferrum, Ferrum College, and the surrounding area. The Ferrum Community
Health Center is open to all age groups, including those with no insurance,
private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.
The Ferrum Community Health Center and Pharmacy is conveniently located
on the ground level of Vaughn Chapel on Highway 40. The fellowship
hall of the chapel has been renovated to include eight exam rooms,
a lab, computerized x-ray, a full service pharmacy, a counseling office
for students, a waiting room and a staff area. Renovations were led
by Robert Rogers, President of Architectural Alternatives and Brian
Nichols, President of Nichols Construction. The project received generous
donations toward the renovations including paint from a local paint
and solvent manufacturer and a substantial discount from a local cabinet
manufacturer. Additionally, Ferrum College has been an invaluable
resource to the project with an affordable lease/renovation option
as well as infrastructure support.
The project has been under development for two years, but has moved
rapidly since June 2006. The Laurel Fork Health Commission, was approached
by Dr. Jennifer Braaten, President of Ferrum College; Bobby Thompson,
Vice President for Business Affairs; and Mark DeWeese, Director for
Grants and Special Projects in January 2005, regarding the need for
health care services in the Ferrum community. Laurel Fork Health Commission,
a non-profit corporation with twelve volunteer directors, began evaluating
the request in early spring. After a formal needs assessment and a
community meeting it was decided that the Bureau of Primary Health
Care’s (BPHC) Community Health Center model was a good fit for Ferrum.
The BPHC had no funding opportunities for new community health centers
for over eighteen months. In June 2006 the board of directors voted
unanimously to move forward to establish the Ferrum Community Health
Center without additional federal funds. The Laurel Fork Health Commission
service area was expanded formally with the Bureau of Primary Health
Care to include Ferrum.
Various grant opportunities have been pursued over the past 6 months.
The Virginia Health Care Foundation has awarded two grants to the
Ferrum project. The first grant is for a Medication Assistance Program
(MAP) Coordinator and began November, 2006. The MAP coordinator will
assist anyone in the community to access free medications offered
by various pharmaceutical programs. The second grant, awarded in December,
2006 is for recruiting and retaining a healthcare provider at the
Ferrum Community Health Center.
The final grant the Ferrum Community Health Center received is for
capital renovations from the Virginia General Assembly. The funds
were allocated in 2006 to be used to bring new health services to
underserved residents in Virginia.
The Ferrum Community Health Center is the contracted provider for
student healthcare and mental healthcare with Ferrum College. Since
August 15, 2006, FCHC has been operating out of Richeson Hall, the
traditional Student Health Center on the Ferrum College campus. Student
services were moved to the new location January 15, 2007.
The Ferrum Community Health Center and Pharmacy presently employees
twelve individuals. Leading the clinical staff is Susan Jones, CFNP,
site manager. Susan has provided healthcare to the students and faculty
on the Ferrum College campus since August 2006 and is experienced
in treating all ages and is certified by the American Academy of Nurse
Practitioners. She recently moved to Ferrum from Emporia, Virginia
with her husband Benji and son Eric. Her hobbies include Bible study
and horseback riding, and she loves the peaceful beauty of Ferrum
where she can practice both.
Clifton Coffey, Registered Pharmacist, heads the pharmacy staff. An
honor graduate of the Medical College of Virginia, Clifton brings
years of retail, hospital and long-term pharmacy experience to Ferrum.
Dr. Ekram Guirguis joined the practice January 29, 2007. Originally
from Cairo, Egypt, she has practiced family medicine in Pennsylvania
and Virginia. She is certified by American Board of Family Medicine,
and a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the
American Medical Associate of Family Physicians. She and her family
reside in Roanoke. She has two children attending college and one
child attending Cave Spring High School.
To celebrate the Ferrum Community Health Center’s opening, an Open
House will be held for the public on February 25, 2007. ALL residents
are encouraged to use the center for their primary medical care. For
more information or appointments, call 540-365-4469 for the clinic
or 540-365-9992 for the pharmacy.
