Catholic Charities Mother of Mercy Free Medical Clinics earn National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics Gold Standard

Catholic Charities Mother of Mercy clinics in Manassas and Woodbridge have each received the 2024 Gold Rating from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) Quality Standards Program. Mother of Mercy (MoM) clinics, which serve vulnerable adults in Manassas, Woodbridge, and Prince William County, has been recognized annually by the national organization since the program began in 2019.

“The award confirms from an outside independent agency what we already know. Our Mother of Mercy clinics are administered with the highest level of safety and health procedures. Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly to provide quality care to our clients that is second to none,” said Stephen Carattini, president and chief executive officer of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington.

When determining the rating, NAFC looks at various aspects, including how the clinics are run administratively, their patient care, and risk management systems.

“We are so honored and gratified to receive this award,” added Alexandra Luevano, program director of the MoM clinics. “We have many wonderful volunteers who are so generous with their time to make sure that our clinics are staffed and that we are giving our clients the highest quality of care. We have worked very hard to make sure that our patients never feel forgotten or lost, and this award demonstrates we are doing just that.”

The MoM clinics provide a wide range of free services, including annual physicals, disease management, prenatal care, and general health classes. They treat endocrinology, cardiology, orthopedic, and podiatry patients and offer mental health care, among various other services.

In FY 23, the two clinics combined served 1,531 unique patients with 5,359 medical appointments, a 24% increase over FY 22. All care is provided on an appointment-based system, which affords the client with the most dignity.

According to a new study from the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, there has been an 11.5% increase in demand for service at free clinics statewide. There are 69 free clinics in Virginia, compared to 54 just three years ago.

For more information on Mother of Mercy clinics, please click here.

For more information on the NAFC Gold Standard program, please click here.

  Reporters seeking more information about Mother of Mercy clinics should contact Mary Shaffrey, director of media relations for the Diocese of Arlington at 703-841-2517 or mary.shaffrey@arlingtondiocese.org.