Footsteps Medical Clinic returns to Poplar Bluff in September

Monday, August 8, 2022

“It’s all just to give back to Jesus because he’s sure been good to us,” said Dr. Rick Wirz, general surgery specialist in Poplar Bluff.

Wirz said he took part in medical mission trips for about eight years before he was called to lead a team of his own.

Now he also helps host one locally. Footsteps Medical Missions' next local clinic will be held from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Black River Coliseum. It will include access to primary care doctors, a cardiologist, a physical therapist, as well as opportunity for eye glasses and hearing aids, among other services.

Wirz said he was inspired to start his own medical mission after the leader of one of his earlier trips said more groups were needed.

“So I did a couple of international trips and then just felt that we needed to incorporate, so Footsteps Medical Missions has actually been incorporated, I think for about four years now,” said Wirz.

Footsteps Medical Missions’ purpose, according to their website, is to spread the love of Jesus Christ while providing basic health care at no cost to those who otherwise may not have access to those services.

“Everybody always says, why do you always go international? Why don’t you do it here in the United States?” said Wirz. “The answer that I’ve always given in the past was the government makes it too hard, there would be too much red tape.

“It’s almost like you hear God speaking to you, saying — so you’re saying it would be too hard for me? I was like, wow, okay, I can’t give that answer anymore, so we started doing them domestically.”

Wirz said the goal is to complete four domestic clinics and two international clinics a year.

He stated they found in the places where there is a higher homeless population or shelter population, they see a lot more people in need, “which is what we want to do,” said Wirz. “We want to see as many people as we can so we can help take care of those people.”

When asked what type of services would be offered during the mission Wirz said, “We do primary care type stuff. We register people, because, of course, in the United States, you have to keep medical records, so we register people, then they go through triage and see nurses, get their vitals taken. We kind of see what their needs are, then they have the opportunity to go see a doctor or a nurse practitioner.”

A cardiologist and opthalmology services are also available.

“W rent a retinal scanner and we have a bank of about 1,000 pairs of glasses, so hopefully we can match people up with glasses if they need them. We are also do reading glasses,” said Wirz. Another volunteer provides hearing aids and hearing tests.

“We have a physical therapy person, we’ve got a diabetic foot specialist and we’re trying to do haircuts. I’ve got one hairdresser that’s been coming very consistently and we really need a lot more because that’s one of the busiest stations believe it or not,” he said.

Footsteps has recently joined in assisting with disaster relief efforts as well.

“We did a little spur of the moment disaster relief whenever the tornado went through Kentucky,” he said. “We took about six 20-foot trailers. People donated stuff and businesses donated stuff. We went back and forth over to Mayfield several times.”

He went on to say that they recently purchased a trailer specifically for disaster relief.

“We’re trying to get that started so we’re gonna push for that here pretty soon,” Wirz said.

The organization will be holding a raffle to raise money to make this and other mission trips possible. Tickets will be available at a booth at the Puxico Homecoming starting Tuesday, Aug. 10.

“I always tell people, you know, if you feel that God’s calling you to help out with something like this, then show up, fill out an application,” said Wirz, adding applications are only needed for liability reasons.

For more information on clinics and how to donate or volunteer please visit their website at footstepsmedicalmissions.org or on the Footsteps Medical Missions Facebook page.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: