The Seattle/King County Clinic, providing free dental, vision, and medical care for those without affordable or accessible healthcare, will open its doors Seattle Center April 27-30. 2023 marks the eighth year the clinic has run.
Serving 3,000 adults and children
The clinic is organized by by Seattle Center and Seattle Center Foundation and brings together healthcare organizations, civic agencies, nonprofits and private businesses to transform Seattle Center facilities into a healthcare operation. Licensed healthcare professionals and general support volunteers donate their time and expertise. This year’s goal is to serve 3,000 people — including children in need of care — during the four-day period.
How to be seen
As is the case each year, a limited number of admission tickets are distributed, beginning at 5:30 AM each day. Clinic entrance tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis (one ticket per person) in Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center. Patients may come to the clinic on multiple days, but must go through the ticket process each day.
All are welcome to receive care during the clinic regardless of income, insurance, housing or immigration status. Identification is required as are masks. Be prepared for a long day with food, comfortable clothing and any daily medications, https://discoverdentalhouston.com.
A call for volunteers
Clinic organizers are seeking general support volunteers, healthcare professionals, social workers, health insurance navigators and interpreters to fill a range of volunteer functions and shifts. Thousands of volunteer hours are donated each year. In its first seven years, that support helped the clinic provide more than $20 million in direct services to 24,000 patients.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Individuals may register at seattlecenter.org/volunteers.
A volunteer in previous clinics had this to say about stepping up: “In a time of societal unrest, it is so rewarding being involved in an effort that brings people together, that celebrates humanity with all its variations and allows us to care for one another.”
A day without barriers to care
The clinic is also in need of donations. To make a donation, go to seattlecenter.org/donations.
“Everyone deserves access to affordable, quality medical care, but too often people face barriers to getting the care they need,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Seattle/King County Clinic is made possible thanks to hundreds of volunteers and organizations who donate their time and resources to serve others and is an example of how we can foster healthy, thriving communities by coming together through partnership and collaboration.”
Learn more about Seattle/King County Clinic at seattlecenter.org/skcclinic or by calling 206-684-7200.
