Saint Thomas Health Hosts FREE Medical, Dental, and Vision Care in Rutherford County for a Day of Hope, Health and Healing

As part of its commitment to serve the poor and vulnerable in Middle Tennessee, Saint Thomas Health hosted a free health care clinic at Hobgood Elementary School in Murfreesboro on Saturday, April 29 from 8am-2pm (see pictures below).

Saint Thomas Health, a part of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and non-profit health system, partnered with more than 20 locally-based agencies to provide care for more than 200 low-income uninsured or underinsured individuals in Rutherford County.

A Day of Hope, Health and Healing consisted of more than 200 volunteers from Saint Thomas Health, including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, chaplains, senior leadership and other hospital staff, providing healthcare screenings and medical care for those most in need.  Pharmacy services, including select prescription medications were provided by the Dispensary of Hope.  Dental services (on-site fillings and extractions) were offered by Hope Smiles, a non-profit organization.  Other services included free primary and specialty healthcare services, such as mammograms, vision services, foot and wound care, and behavioral medicine.

“Our hope is one day we won’t have to host a medical mission ever again, but until everyone has healthcare, we’ll be here for them,” said Saint Thomas Health President & CEO Karen Springer.  “Having all the right resources here for those who need it most and them leaving here with a smile on their face because we’ve been able to help them in some way is truly a gift.”

Since the first Ascension Medical Mission at Home in 2008 for Saint Thomas Health, the event has provided more than 20,000 patient encounters for Middle Tennessee families.