JACKSONVILLE, Fl. – Medical mission typically are overseas, one local hospital is giving back in the neighborhood.
St. Vincent’s HealthCare, part of Ascension - the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system is preparing for its second annual Medical Mission at Home.
The event, which offers free healthcare services to the uninsured and underinsured, will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in downtown Jacksonville.
Volunteers will provide free basic medical care to hundreds of people in need and will connect them to medical homes and clinics to provide ongoing medical care. This year, St. Vincent’s has also partnered with the City of Jacksonville to offer even more resources.
"Our Mission calls us to constantly ask ourselves what more we can do to help our neighbors and we know healthcare is a significant need for thousands of people in our community,” said St. Vincent’s HealthCare interim president & CEO Tom VanOsdol. “We were thankful to serve more than 200 people at last year’s Medical Mission at Home and we’re planning to bring more services to more people this year.”
Throughout the day, volunteers will also provide free social services to people in need. Patient navigators will guide participants throughout the entire process. Free services to be provided include:
· Basic medical care and testing, including a limited number of mammograms
· Emergency dental care
· Behavioral health consultations
· Vision and hearing screenings
· Spiritual care
· Food and clothing
· Social services and resident resources from the City of Jacksonville
St. Vincent’s and its partners have developed referral plans for participants needing care beyond the event. In addition, the City of Jacksonville will connect residents with available resources.
“A number of caring organizations, faith-based institutions, and individuals in our community routinely travel the globe doing good work to support international needs. Sadly, however, we have disparities right here in Jacksonville that rival Third World countries,” said Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry.
To learn more about St. Vincent’s HealthCare, visit www.jaxhealth.com.