Over nine years, Seattle/King County Clinic has provided more than $26 million in dental, vision, medical, and social services, to 30,000 patients. The large-scale, four day Clinic exists in direct response to significant gaps in our healthcare system, with the goal of treating the needs of the uninsured and underinsured who struggle to access and afford services necessary to support their overall health.
Clinic patients include families, low wage earners, the elderly, veterans, LGBTQ+, and others who are unable to receive care because of disparities in our healthcare system. Often, they are left with little choice but to endure pain and disability. They are classified as underserved and vulnerable populations, but for us they have a human face that those words do not aptly describe. They are our neighbors, co-workers, family, and friends who are struggling with immediate, treatable needs.
Seattle/King County Clinic provides an opportunity not only to address acute health problems, such as an infected tooth, the need for prescription eyeglasses or a comprehensive medical exam, but to introduce patients to local resources that can help them stay healthy. Beyond providing healthcare that improves quality of life, we treat patients with honor and respect, ensuring that each person feels valued. Our hope is that they can return to our community stronger and better able to participate.
On average, Seattle/King County Clinic aims to serve more than 3,000 people per year and provide at least $2.5 million in direct healthcare services. This effort is made possible through the partnership of civic agencies, healthcare organizations, non-profits, businesses, and volunteers. The effort, involving months of preparation and thousands of professional and general support volunteers, produces the largest clinic of its kind in Washington State.
PURPOSE:
We believe public health is a cultural value that contributes to the strength of our community.
Seattle/King County Clinic exists to:
• Provide compassionate care to members of our community
• Eliminate real and perceived barriers to receiving healthcare
• Address dental, vision, and medical needs of the underserved
• Connect patients with resources to support continuity of care
• Engage and promote dialogue around healthcare disparities
• Promote health equity beyond the clinic event
POPULATION SERVED:
The Clinic seeks to reach racially diverse and economically disadvantaged patients. For many Washington State residents, healthcare is a considerable challenge. Significant health disparities persist due to healthcare provider shortages, affordability, and immigration status. Even with health insurance, many seek care in safety net clinics such as ours simply because they cannot afford their copay, deductible and/or services are not covered by insurance.
OUTREACH:
The ability to reach people who routinely face barriers to care requires a specialized approach. We make concerted efforts to connect with prospective patients, especially in ethnic communities, by identifying and using trusted and accessible sources for each target community. We advertise in print, radio, television, and social media, distribute flyers in multiple languages, and work closely with community-based organizations that already serve these populations in other capacities.
VOLUNTEERS:
Each year it takes more than 3,000 healthcare professionals and general support (non-clinical) volunteers, donating over 45,000 hours valued at more than $1.5M, to produce the Clinic. Patients express that, along with the important care they receive, they are equally grateful for volunteers’ humanity and compassion.
PARTNERS:
Clinic partners help to dramatically expand upon the dental, vision, and medical care available to the underserved in Washington State. Relationships formed through the Clinic benefit the event, the partners, and the greater community healthcare system. Through partner participation, we are able to achieve a 3:1 return on financial and in-kind donations.
ANNUAL GOALS:
• 750+ patients per day
• $2.5M+ in healthcare services
• 500+ volunteer healthcare professionals per day
• 500+ general support volunteers per day
• 90+ dental operatories
• 18 vision lanes
• 1,000 prescription eyeglasses
• 90+ medical treatment spaces
