Medical Clinic Provides Free Health Care to Spokane Residents

From News Release, August 6, 2015:   More than 1,600 healthcare professionals and volunteers operated a no-cost medical and dental clinic in Spokane, Washington on August 3-4, 2015. According to event organizers, a total of 7,757 free services were offered to 3,111 noninsured and underinsured residents of Spokane, including 319 who were given surgical services at no cost. The clinic was held at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, where organizers had originally estimated that services would be given to 3,000 residents.

The event was organized by Your Best Pathway to Health, a service of Adventist-Laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI), in partnership with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, Adventist Health System West and other entities. Your Best Pathway to Health was co-sponsored by the Spokane Mayor David A. Condon as well as the Spokane County Commissioner.

Free on-site services included primary care visits, women’s health services, gastroenterology, neurology, pulmonology, rheumatology, infectious disease, general and orthopedic surgery, pediatrics, podiatry services, immunizations, root canals, crowns, fillings, extractions, dental cleaning, pharmacy, eyeglass fittings and examinations, STD screenings, medical massage, physical therapy, x-rays, laboratory services, audiology, consultations by medical specialists including heart evaluation, as well as haircuts, free men’s suits and wedding dresses, chaplaincy services and a free meal.

No insurance and no identification were required. Appointments were also not necessary, except for surgical procedures, which required free of charge pre-surgery visits.

The mega clinic will be held next in Los Angeles, California on March 23-25, 2016.