Volunteers Are Needed to Make Large Free Clinic for Uninsured Possible in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) is calling on physicians and other health care professionals, as well as non-medical volunteers, to participate in the upcoming large free clinic for uninsured persons to be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Aug. 29.  This clinic, being held on the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, will be the third annual C.A.R.E. (Communities Are Responding Everyday) Clinic being held in New Orleans.

"All types of volunteers are needed to participate in this one-day, life-altering event," NAFC Executive Director Nicole Lamoureux said. "We need a few hundred medical professionals and several hundred other volunteers to participate in the clinic to provide much needed care for all types of medical issues at no cost to participants."

This free clinic is not just for the sick but also for anyone who is uninsured and has not seen a doctor recently. Some patients have not seen a doctor in several years, others need a follow-up because they have chronic diseases, and some simply need a checkup or a physical.  The one common thing they all share is limited access to get this care.  All clinic participants will receive preventive, primary medical care and be connected to the area's safety-net providers and available resources, many of which people often are unaware.

The C.A.R.E. Clinic relies on volunteers to make the event possible.  The medical volunteers needed include: doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, emergency medical technicians, medical administrators, licensed clinical social workers and more. Non-medical volunteers are needed to help with documentation, logistical support, patient intake and translation, as well as to be patient greeters and escorts.  Out-of-state licensed doctors and nurses are also welcome; visit www.regonline.com/2011NOLACARE for information on how to obtain a temporary license.

Information on the event and how to register to volunteer is available online at: www.regonline.com/2011NOLACARE.  Volunteer hours are between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.  Uninsured people who want to be patients at this year's clinic can call 877-236-7617 now to schedule an appointment. For information on how to donate money to support the C.A.R.E. Clinic, go to www.freeclinics.us and click on the "Donate Now" button.  

SOURCE National Association of Free Clinics