More than 1K patients receive free medical care at Nashville Fairgrounds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – On Saturday, Ascension Saint Thomas hosted a free healthcare, dental and vision clinic for those in need across the city.

Ascension Saint Thomas partnered with several community organizations to put on the ‘Medical Mission at Home’ event which serves as a one-stop shop for Nashville’s low-income and uninsured populations to receive a myriad of complimentary medical services.

“We commit ourselves to serving all persons with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable,” said Nancy Anness, a practicing nurse practitioner at Ascension Saint Thomas. “We are advocates for a just and compassionate society, and that’s why, since 2008, we started these medical missions, just to serve those who are most in need and to serve those who don’t have access to health care.”

The hospital system has served more than 25,000 Tennesseans through its ‘Medical Mission at Home’ events that happen several times a year and have been around for the last 16 years. Event organizers said Saturday’s crowd of over 1,000 was its largest mission in history.

“The fact that we were able to reach people who needed care and they were able to get here, we appreciate,” said Greg Pope, chief mission officer for Ascension Saint Thomas.

For those who didn’t speak English, Ascension Saint Thomas had translation services available in more than 30 languages, either over the phone or with an in-person interpreter.

Upwards of 550 volunteers staffed the event and offered their respective health and social services.

“We are the Volunteer State for sure,” Anness said. “I call our volunteers ‘missionaries’ because we truly serve those who are uninsured and underinsured. This day is just part of our ministry, mission and fabric as an organization, and this is what we do best.”

Pope said some patients had never been to a doctor before and were finding out about medical conditions for the first time.

Following the event, Ascension Saint Thomas provides follow-up care to ensure no one gets left behind or lost on their medical journey.

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“This is the first step,” Pope said. “They’re having an opportunity to get an evaluation and then we help them find primary care, dental care, behavioral health services, whatever they might need to the resources available in the community and through Ascension Saint Thomas.”

To learn more about Ascension Saint Thomas, click here .

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