NoHLA Executive Director Janet Varon was honored to receive the 2018 Marcia Howery Award from the Washington Healthcare Access Alliance, “in recognition of demonstrated, long term commitment and contribution to healthcare access serving Washington’s vulnerable patients.” WHAA is the association of free clinics throughout the state.

Marcia Howery was a pioneering free clinic director, mentor, and advocate who worked tirelessly to meet the needs of patients left out of the healthcare system in Clark County, and beyond. Howery was instrumental in the development and expansion of many free clinics across the state, including the Free Clinic of SW Washington in Vancouver. She also worked to establish WHAA in 2007 and served as its first director. The current director, Christine Lindquist, is an amazing advocate for access to health care herself!