FREE ACCESS: Footsteps Medical Mission clinic offering free care next weekend

Footsteps Medical Missions recently went to Jamaica to assist residents in need with medical services otherwise unavailable or not affordable to them.

Footsteps Medical Mission will return to the Black River Coliseum at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 18, to assist area residents in need with free health check-ups, eyeglasses, haircuts and more.

The purpose of the mission, according to organizers, 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.

According to Dr. Rick Wirz, who has led his team for more than eight years, his mission team generally tries to complete four domestic clinics and two international clinics annually.

“We’ll be doing another one here in Poplar Bluff in September and we’re anticipating going to Branson sometime this year also,” said Wirz.

The most recent mission trip for the Footsteps team led volunteers to Jamaica, where the team was able to serve 434 people and had 67 salvations.

“It was an amazing thing,” said Wirz, who is a general surgery specialist in Poplar Bluff.

He went on to say they were doing ongoing care for some patients they had seen, like trying to procure a wheelchair for a child with special needs.

In past clinics, the team has offered mostly primary care. Wirz said they are required to register people because in the United States, medical records must be kept.

Once patients register, they will go through triage and see the nurses, then they get their vitals taken and the medical team can see what their needs are. There is no requirement to pre-register for the clinic, but it will speed up the process for those that wish to do so.

Wirz said that the biggest challenge facing the volunteer medical team now is funding.

“With the economy, it’s just getting harder and harder to raise funds. It would be great if we could get a donor or sponsor, especially a corporation, for a not-for-profit tax-deductible contribution,” said Wirz.

Along with monetary needs, the Footsteps team is also always in search of more volunteers to assist with the free clinics.

“We can always use more volunteers, always,” said Wirz.

The free clinic will be held from 8 a.m.– 3 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at the Black River Coliseum located at 301 S. 5th St. in Poplar Bluff.

For more information on clinics and how to donate or volunteer please visit their website at footstepsmedicalmissions.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/footstepsmedicalmissions.