Operation Healing & Restoration Provides Free Medical, Dental, Vision Care To Nearly 600 People

EVENT DEMONSTRATES COMMUNITY SPIRIT, SAYS LAKE CHARLES MAYOR

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Oct 04, 2018, 09:00 ET

BATON ROUGE, La., Oct. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A total of 579 Louisiana residents from across the state received free medical, dental and vision care during Operation Healing & Restoration, a two-day, free clinic offered by the City of Lake Charles on Sept. 15-16, 2018. Nearly 600 volunteers supported the event, which was hosted by Remote Area Medical (RAM) and sponsored by Louisiana Healthcare Connections to bring much-needed health services to uninsured and under-insured individuals.

"The people of Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana have demonstrated time and time again that they are some of the most loving and giving people you will ever meet," says Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter. "I am so proud of this community for stepping up in a big way to support this much-needed event, and I am also grateful to groups like Louisiana Healthcare Connections for their support. Our community stands stronger when we all come together to lend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters."

Healthcare available at the clinic included general dental services such as cleanings, extractions and fillings, as well as general medical and women's health services. Attendees were also able to receive vision care, including prescription eyeglasses that were crafted on-site. Younger attendees were invited to participate in free activities, provided by Louisiana Healthcare Connections in an adult-monitored "Kid Zone," while their parents received care.

"We appreciate the contributions of our volunteers, local businesses, and partner organizations like Louisiana Healthcare Connections," says Emily S. Ashworth, RN, BSN, Wellness Nurse Coordinator for the City of Lake Charles. "Going into it, we knew that there would be a long wait time for some folks. The addition of the cartoon artist, face painting, and magician in the Kid Zone helped to calm those who were anxious about the services they were about to receive."

Operation Healing & Restoration is the second free clinic sponsored by Louisiana Healthcare Connections in 2018. In January, the Healthy Louisiana Medicaid health plan sponsored a three-day clinic in Baton Rouge that provided free health and dental care to more than 1,400 individuals from across the state, thanks to the coordinated efforts of nearly 1,600 volunteers.

"Transforming the health of Louisiana residents is our mission, and we are proud to have so many wonderful community partners who share our commitment to helping families get the care they need through these free clinics," says Stewart Gordon, MD, Louisiana Healthcare Connections Chief Medical Officer. "We are grateful for the opportunity to support events like Operation Healing & Restoration, and for the many volunteers, organizations, and businesses that came together to make it a success."

About Louisiana Healthcare Connections
Established to deliver quality healthcare through local, regional and community-based partners, Louisiana Healthcare Connections is a Healthy Louisiana Plan headquartered in Baton Rouge, La. Louisiana Healthcare Connections exists to improve the health of its members through focused, compassionate and coordinated care. Because Louisiana Healthcare Connections believes healthy is a way of life, its members benefit from programs and services designed for their personal well-being. For more information, www.LouisianaHealthConnect.com.

SOURCE Louisiana Healthcare Connections