March 1, 2006

VAFC Hires Carol Pugh as Quality Officer

(Glen Allen, VA) – The Virginia Association of Free Clinics (VAFC) announced that Carol B. Pugh, PharmD MS, began employment today as Quality Officer, a newly-created position at the Association.

"We are excited to have Carol join our team at this crucial stage in the life of our Association," said Mark R. Cruise, VAFC Executive Director. "She will be a tremendous asset to Virginia’s Free Clinics as they assume a permanent role in the health care safety net for vulnerable Virginians."  In her role as Quality Officer, Dr. Pugh will provide training, technical assistance and support for Free Clinic pharmacy programs, data collection efforts, outcomes research, participation in regional health information networks, piloting of electronic medical records, and other quality improvement activities.

She has 24 years experience in health care and health related organizations.  Most recently, she served as Healthcare Data Consultant for Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Medical Center.  She has held faculty positions in the VCU School of Pharmacy and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.  Dr. Pugh earned her BS and PharmD degrees from VCU School of Pharmacy and her MS degree from VCU School of Medicine.  She also earned a BS degree from the College of William and Mary.  She has received numerous awards and honors for her teaching and community service.  She is a founding board member of the Free Clinic of Goochland and has been an active volunteer for the clinic.

"I’m excited about this new opportunity, to be a part of this growing Association and their worthwhile mission of advancing the Free Clinic movement here in Virginia," said Pugh.

Founded in 1993, the VAFC is the oldest Free Clinic association in the U.S. Its mission is to support, strengthen, and advocate for Free Clinics to deliver quality health care services to Virginia’s low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents. More information about the VAFC and Virginia’s Free Clinics is available at www.vafreeclinics.org.

Phone:
(804) 340-3434

Fax:
(804) 340-3435

Email:
mara@vafreeclinics.org