EVERETT — People trained in health care and other volunteers are needed for a two-day event at which organizers hope to serve up to 1,000 people needing free medical, dental or vision care.
The event, called the Amen Clinic, is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20 and 22 at the Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave. in Everett.
About 400 health, medical, and other professionals are needed. The free clinic will serve anyone who needs health-related services, said Paula Beatty, director of Everett’s Amen Clinic.
This is the first time an Amen Clinic has been scheduled in Everett. The event gets its name from the Adventist Medical Evangelism Network, a program of the Seventh-day Adventist church.
The group scheduled a similar free clinic in Tacoma over Veterans Day weekend, where more than 600 people received health care and laboratory services.
Among the problems that were diagnosed were diabetes, untreated high blood pressure, cavities and infected teeth, vision problems, and women’s reproductive health issues.
The volunteers needed in Everett include doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, physical therapists, social workers, mental health counselors, dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians.
Medical translators, greeters, barbers, food coordinators, security workers, pastors and chaplains also are needed.
“We hope to get people to volunteer to do massage, physical therapy and maybe foot care,” Beatty said.
Volunteers will be asked to work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The goal is not only to provide medical care, but to link people to community resources for follow-up care, Beatty said.
Any recommended follow-up care will be provided either free or on a sliding fee basis.
No registration is needed. “First come, first served, regardless of insurance, ability to pay or immigration status,” Beatty said.
Doors to the event will open about 7 a.m. to allow people to be directed to the right line for services and to begin registration at 8 a.m.
The most requested services are for dental and vision care, Beatty said. Those who need both these services will need to choose one or the other because of the high demand for them, she said.
“We’ve got more than 200 volunteers signed up, but we need at least double that to help the clinic be successful,” Beatty said.
Although the sign-ups are for volunteers, she said she’s already been contacted by people seeking medical treatment.
One woman said she needed four crowns. “As soon as she said that, my mouth started to hurt for her,” Beatty said.
Beatty told her it won’t be possible to get all four done that day. The care she receives will depend on how many dentists turn out for the event.
“Every time I hear a story of someone who is uninsured or underinsured, I just shake my head,” Beatty said. “We really do need to take care of each other.”
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
Info
What: The Amen Clinic will provide free medical, dental and vision services to the poor and uninsured April 20 and 22 at Everett’s Angel of the Winds Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave.
What’s needed: Doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, physical therapists, social workers, mental health counselors, dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, ophthalmologists and opticians as well as general purpose volunteers.
Volunteer sign-ups at: cdi-tnlel.formstack.com/forms/ameneverett or at ameneverett@gmail.com
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