At Fredericksburg Christian Health Center, we serve those who cannot afford healthcare with high quality care in the name of Jesus. We minister to the body, mind, and spirit in order to bring about healing in all three. Our vision is to see our patients and our community experience healing and wholeness through Jesus Christ.
2023 YEAR IN REVIEW
WRITTEN BY FCHC CEO, DR. THERON STINAR
Theron R. Stinar, D.O., FAAFP
Happy new year! Have you ever had a year during which God has put a specific verse or phrase on your heart as His theme for you for the year? I believe God has already spoken His area of growth for me in 2024- “Be patient in the process.”
2023 was an exciting year at FCHC, with multiple celebrations and challenges. It often felt like we took two steps forward and one step backward. Through it all, God proves His faithfulness over and over and we trust that His plans are best. Please take a few minutes to review the year with me, and what God has done through FCHC using your prayers and financial support.
FCHC take the gold at the annual Freedom 500 Go-Kart Race to end Addiction with Zoe Freedom Center.
Dr, Stinar cares for a patient through the Healthbridge Program with Micah Ministries.
FCHC SERVING WITH PARTNERS
FCHC started the year celebrating 20 years of ministry! If this wasn’t enough of an accomplishment, FCHC was also victorious during the Freedom 500 fundraising event with our friends and ministry partners Zoe Freedom Center. We also celebrated a year of our Healthbridge collaboration with Micah Ministries, through which we have provided free care to 79 unhoused neighbors in 2023.
Last year was a fun year of strengthening collaborations with community partners, not only with Zoe Freedom Center and Micah Ministries, but also Beauty for Ashes, Empower House, and Mary’s Shelter who each support clients overcoming addiction, domestic abuse, and homeless pregnant women (and their children).
FCHC PROFESSIONAL CAPITAL
During the spring season, the FCHC team strengthened the faith-based medical community. Dr. Stinar, Mrs. Stinar, and Nurse Practitioner (NP) Mkiyah gave several presentations at the Christian Medical and Dental Association regional student conference at Liberty University. Then Dr. Stinar and Mrs. Stinar also spoke at the national conference of the Christian Community Health Fellowship. This was an amazing time of learning, fellowship, and worship. We are so thankful to the Broom Tree Fellows Program whose grant allowed several staff to attend this conference, and also funded our annual staff retreat. (In 2023 Dr. Stinar also spoke at the Fredericksburg Regional Housing Summit and was a part of Health Department work groups to develop strategies to improve the health of the community and to reduce drug abuse and overdoses.)
STAFF CHANGES
As we started the year, FCHC was gaining momentum and making an impact locally and nationally. We took a step backwards with the resignation of Dr. Carter, who took another job in June which allowed him to spend more time with his family. Losing Dr. Carter means that Dr. Stinar is back to being FCHC’s only physician, along with his responsibilities as CEO. We are blessed that NP Jessica has stepped into the role of Clinical Director. The summer was a very crazy season at FCHC, as we then took 3 more steps forward and steps back, each right after the other!
Meet Brittany N. Johnson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and our new full-time counselor!
Welcome Lindsey Adams, Family Nurse Practitioner!
In June we expanded our behavioral health program thanks to a generous grant from the Virginia Health Care Foundation, hiring Brittany Johnson, our full-time counselor. We also hired Lindsey Adams as a full-time nurse practitioner. Lindsey had rotated through FCHC as a student in 2022 and impressed us so much that we reached out to her in early 2023 hoping she would join the team. In June we also opened a second office location anticipating the growth in services for both primary care and mental health.
The steps backward in July were the resignation of Erin Brown, our practice manager for 3 years, and in August our full-time PA, Kirsti, going on maternity leave. The loss of Dr. Carter and Kirsti meant that our new second office didn’t get utilized for more than 1-2 days a week, and we were not able to expand primary care services.
Thank you Erin Brown for being our practice manager for the last three years!
2023 FINANCIAL REPORT
In 2023, we saw growth in all areas with both income and expenses. These charts reflect the associated finances for each area.
GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
But God is faithful and moved the ministry forward again with the addition of Bonnie Childress as our new practice manager. In addition, we were blessed to have PA Tricia Templeton fill in again in Kirsti’s absence. During autumn God continued to bless FCHC with a very successful annual fundraising banquet (Thanks to all who attended!), the opportunity for FCHC team members to support international missionaries in Spain, and the return of Kirsti in November (with her beautiful healthy baby!). We also participated in the annual Fredericksburg Life Walk with IMGN Life, Mary’s Shelter, Parent’s for Life, and Zoe Freedom Center.
Dr. Stinar at the grand opening ceremony of our second location on Lafayette Blvd.
Nisha and Bonnie gathering socks to donate to the Brisben Center during Socktober
Bonnie, Brittany, and Lora at the Life Walk
At the end of the year, our challenge was keeping up with both patient demand and community demand for our charity services with the reality of our limitations in staffing and executive leadership. With our current staffing, FCHC has been able to only accept a very limited number of new patients. Pray for God's provision as we seek to hire another physician and expand our nursing team. There is such high demand for counseling services that we will likely hire another counselor in 2024.
A blessing throughout 2023 was the addition of several new members to our Board of Directors, whose faithfulness, expertise, and experience will guide FCHC into an exciting 2024. FCHC is in a pivotal season coming out of the COVID pandemic and feeling called to better address the mental health and social determinants of health of our community, collaborate with community partners, and reconsider who the “least of these” are in light of Virginia’s Medicaid expansion.
These are the issues that FCHC leadership will be wrestling with in 2024, along with the funding model to sustain and expand charity services. I am so thankful for the team that God has prepared for such a time as this.
LOOKING AHEAD
You can see why God has impressed upon me to “Be patient with the process!” We are going through a process of re-evaluation to ensure we are in line with God’s work and will, and that we are utilizing your donations to serve the poor with the greatest integrity. As God continues to mold FCHC as an instrument to bring healing and wholeness, I anticipate that operations in 2025 will look a bit different than years past. I don’t know yet what God is going to do, but I know it will be good, and I will do my best to be patient in the process.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
At Fredericksburg Christian Health Center, we firmly believe that it takes a community to make a difference, and we are grateful for the incredible support we've received throughout the year. I am especially thankful for our dedicated & compassionate staff. Their commitment to the FCHC mission ensures that our community members can find the healing and support they need.
Our Valued Volunteers
To our dedicated volunteers, including Andree Thigpen, Dr. Mary Mastrucci, Dr. Joanna Crawford, Phyllis and Charlie Bartley, your commitment to serving others and their needs of the body, mind, and spirit has left a tangible mark on our organization. Your time, expertise, and compassion have touched countless lives, and we are honored to have you as part of the FCHC family.
Community Partners, Ministry Partners, and Grantors
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our community partners, ministry partners, and grantors. Your continued support empowers us to expand our services and reach even more individuals in need. Special mention goes to Mary Washington Healthcare, Tricord Companies, Younger Family Fund, Virginia Health Care Foundation, The Broom Tree Fellows Program, Community Foundation of the Rappahannock, Shenan Reid Riddick Foundation, Brimmer Family Fund, Atlantic Builders, and the multiple healthcare partners who serve FCHC patients. Your generosity fuels our mission and inspires us daily.
Championing Churches
Our appreciation extends to the churches that have been continued partners in our work. Spotswood Baptist Church, New City Fellowship, Lifepoint Church, Common Ground Church, Saint Mary Of The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and Grace Church of Fredericksburg have played a pivotal role in making a significant impact on our community. Your faith-inspired dedication resonates with our mission of holistic care, and we are grateful for your partnership.
Board Members: Guiding Lights
Lastly, we wish to recognize and extend our profound gratitude to our dedicated board members. Your tireless efforts, guidance, and expertise have been instrumental in shaping FCHC. We acknowledge the countless hours you've devoted to our cause. Thank you, Dr. Dan Trementozzi, Brittany S. Carper, Esq., Mike Jones, Dr. Timothy Powell, Leandro Chavarria, Katherine Michael, Gene Brown, Andrea Aparicio-Noyola, and Katina Howard, for your invaluable contributions to our organization.
With your support, we look ahead to a brighter future, knowing that together, we will help our community experience healing and wholeness through Jesus Christ.
Sincerely, Theron R. Stinar, D.O., FAAFP
Watch this video and hear from three of our patients about their experience with the healing of body, mind, and spirit!