You can get free drop-in medical, dental care in East Pierce County this weekend
Free medical care will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at Faith Covenant Church in Sumner.
The Compassion Clinic at 1915 Washington St. will be a one-day, drop-in clinic, which will provide medical care, dental care, chiropractic care, and vision referrals and massages with no health or dental insurance required.
The clinic’s focus is on urgent care, meaning healthcare professionals won’t have resources to do routine checkups or address non-current medical issues.
The event is being put on by Compassion Washington, a nonprofit and Christian organization that focuses on helping those in need.
“They’re gonna get a lot of people loving them, caring for them, and listening to them and what their needs might be,” said Brent Allan, the president of Compassion Washington.
The clinic will be set up in the gym of Faith Covenant Church. All medical providers will be licensed and the medical equipment is up to current health standards, according to Compassion Washington.
“There are well over 100 people that are volunteering, from hospitality, nurses, dental and medical,” Allan said.
When patients arrive, they will be greeted and registered. Then a medical triage will be conducted to assess the patient’s urgent needs. There will be interpreters on site for non-English speakers.
Anyone who stops by the event and is given care will also be provided with food from the Sumner Community Food Bank.
“The focus is not just providing basic needs, but connecting our clients with some other nonfood agencies in their journey for wellness,” said Anthony Apeles, the executive director of the Sumner Community Food Bank.
In past similar events, the most needed form of care has been dental.
“When you have a pain in your tooth, that affects your whole body and you want to get help,” Allan said.
Samantha Gallia, 2023’s Miss Washington USA, will be providing dental care for those in need at the clinic. With her doctorate in dentistry, Gallia has helped at past Compassion Washington events.
“There will be a great deal of love and support and joy within the building,” Allan said.
Compassion Washington plans to have another free healthcare event in April 2024 in Tacoma. Check their website for future events at compassionwashington.com.
“This, this is just reaching out and serving the needs of others,” Apeles said. “It’s a beautiful example of what community is.”