Last year, during four days in October in a makeshift health clinic within the Key Arena, 1,714 people received dental care, 1,012 had eye exams, 177 received mammograms, 424 had physicals, 268 were tested for hiv, 142 had X-rays — the list goes on, with a total of nearly 3,400 receiving health care.
All of it was free.
Providing free vision, dental and medical care to thousands is a daunting task, which is why the people behind the Seattle/King County Clinic are already seeking droves of volunteers. Now in its second year, and organized by the Seattle Center Foundation, the clinic will run Oct. 22 - 25, requiring thousands of health care professionals and general support staff.
“We are really targeting underserved and vulnerable populations in our community,” said Sarah Sherman, assistant project director. “It’s really a great opportunity to give back.”
The clinic provides a wide range of dental, vision and medical care and is aimed at those who face barriers accessing health care. According to a report by the Group Health Research Institute, last year’s patients were primarily low-income and about half reported being unemployed. The majority had no insurance.
This year’s goal is to scale up slightly: increasing hours on the last day, boosting care stations and serving around 1,000 patients daily. That means about 650 volunteers per day — 400 health care professionals and 250 general supporters who help register patients, fill out records, set up and take down the event and escort patients to different areas of the large clinic.
Last year, patients were turned away, and the number served this year will ultimately depend on the number of volunteers, especially on the health care side. Although the average shift is 12 hours, Sherman said the days go by quickly because of the exciting atmosphere and the urgent sense of need.
“A lot of the patients really don’t have any other options available to them,” Sherman said. “I heard that time and time again: that if they didn’t get that tooth pulled there at the clinic, they didn’t know what they were going to do.”
Lab tests and diagnoses last year revealed ailments from hernias to breast cancer, diabetes and glaucoma. Patients are referred to local resources for follow-up care.
For volunteers, the clinic accepts in-state health care professionals and out-of-state practitioners who have worked fewer than 30 days in Washington, as well as students on a limited basis. On the general support side, anyone over age 18 can volunteer.
The clinic also needs specialized services such as interpretation, tech support, food service workers and early-morning staff — the Exhibition Hall will open at 12:30 a.m. to allow visitors to take shelter and line up.
Organizers also seek social workers, who will connect with patients and those waiting in line.
The clinic is funded and supplied through grants, donations and fundraising, and represents the collaboration of more than 75 organizations. Last year, 1,500 volunteers provided almost $2.4 million in care.
“Knowing we were able to serve so many people was rewarding,” Sherman said. “You get to hear patients’ stories of what their circumstances are and how these services are going to change their lives. And they really do change their lives.”