Kansas City to host nation's largest free health clinic for uninsured people

The Bartle Hall Convention Center will temporarily become the nation's largest medical clinic on Dec. 9-10, when Kansas City hosts the latest in a series of massive free clinics for uninsured people.

"This free clinic event has the potential to be the biggest one yet, because it will extend over two days instead of just one and be held on weekdays instead of over a weekend," Sheri Wood, executive director of the Kansas City Free Health Clinic and president of the National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC).

At previous one-day C.A.R.E. (Communities Are Responding Everyday) Clinics the NAFC has held, more than 1,700 patients received medical care in Houston on Sept. 26, more than 1,000 received care in New Orleans on Nov. 14, and more than 1,000 received care in Little Rock on Nov. 21.

"We have been very pleased with the response by not only patients but also by hundreds of medical and non-medical volunteers at the first three events," NAFC Executive Director Nicole Lamoureux said. "These clinics provide patients with the opportunity to receive much-needed medical treatment and also connect them with free clinics and other safety-net providers in their areas."

Patients should register for the Kansas City clinic by calling 877-249-5030 toll-free as soon as possible to schedule appointments. Medical and non-medical volunteers should register online at: www.regonline.com/kansascitycare. Information for patients and volunteers also is available online at: http://freeclinics.us.

Medical volunteers needed for the C.A.R.E. Clinic include doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, doctors of podiatric medicine, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, emergency medical technicians and medical administrators. Non-medical volunteers are needed to help with documentation, logistical support, patient intake and translation, as well as to assist patients with scheduling follow-up appointments at their local safety-net clinics.

"Although the previous large free clinic events have provided a wide range of medical services, we are looking forward to providing even more services at the Kansas City event, including mental health, vision and social services, as well as other specialized services," Wood said. "This event also is allowing us to pull together many organizations to work together for the first time. It is a community effort."

Provisions will be made for access to the convention center and nearby parking for volunteers and patients.