Free Medical Clinic director leaving for job in Uganda

Free Medical Clinic / Courtesy photo

Winchester, Va. – The Free Medical Clinic of Northern Shenandoah Valley (FMCNSV) has announced the resignation of its Executive Director Stefan Lawson, who will move to Uganda with his family in July, to work for Living Goods, a global health non-profit organization.

Lawson joined the Free Medical Clinic in March 2015. Since then, he expanded the clinic’s behavioral health services, opened the pharmacy up to all community members, launched a Community Health Worker program, and started Project First, a community risk factor screening program.

“Stefan has been a remarkable leader for FMC who has had an enormous impact on the growth and development of the clinic” said Current Board Chair Kathy Tagnesi. “He is a natural creative leader, developing outstanding staff and community relationships. It has been a joy for our Board of Directors to work with Stefan.”

Dr. Terry Sinclair, founder of the Free Medical Clinic said, “the FMC has benefitted from Stefan’s leadership as Executive Director. He is a visionary that moved the clinic into a vital proactive position and involved health care students as well as professionals. He will be greatly missed.”

“I am proud of the accomplishments of the Free Medical Clinic. It has been an incredible privilege for me to lead such an amazing team of dedicated employees who love their jobs and have an incredible heart for the less fortunate in our community” said Stefan. “I have loved the opportunity to work with our board, and community partners to develop new programs and see firsthand the impact that they are having on our patients,” he added.

Lawson and his family will be moving to Kampala, Uganda at the end of July as he takes on the role of Deputy Country Director for Living Goods, a global health non-profit organization headquartered in San Francisco.

“While I am very sad about leaving the Free Medical Clinic, I am excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead for me in Uganda” said Stefan.

The Free Medical Clinic will immediately begin a national search for a replacement. Any interested candidates should email a resume and cover letter to info@fmcwinchester.org by June 30th.

The Free Medical Clinic provides community-based health care to uninsured residents that are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level in the City of Winchester and Counties of Frederick and Clarke. Services include primary care, behavioral health, women’s health, occupational health, physical therapy, orthopedics and a retail pharmacy.

The clinic receives limited state funding, and it relies heavily on the generosity of local individuals and businesses to raise the $1.6 million it needs to keep its operation going. To learn more, go to www.fmcwinchester.org.