‘Best thing in the world’: Hundreds receive free care at Heal Elgin clinic
Patients came for free health care and left with priceless smiles during the Heal Elgin clinic Sunday at the Judson University Fitness Center in Elgin.
The clinic, held Saturday and Sunday, was operated by the Heal Elgin Project, Mission Minded Worldwide and Better Vision, Better Hope, in partnership with Judson and the City of Elgin.
The first-come, first-serve event offered free medical, dental and vision care, as well as health assessments and recommendations of lifestyle choices.
Hundreds of patients passed through the doors over the weekend. They received vision tests, dental X-rays, fillings and extractions, courtesy of volunteer professionals.
“I think it’s the best thing in the world,” said Berwyn-based dentist George Zehak. “We wish there were more of these.”
Project director Terri Dallas-Prunskis, a retired interventional pain management specialist, said the vision clinic had 400 patients Saturday and Sunday, while an estimated 2,300 dental procedures took place.
“The best that happened this year is we had somebody come in and make acrylic partials for (dental patients) who needed it,” she said. “They left with a complete smile.”
Elgin resident Roxanna Smith came to get her teeth cleaned.
“I do have a regular dentist, but I wanted to check this out and see what it was all about,” she said. “If you go to your normal dentist, you get charged through your insurance. This is not going to show up. It’s a freebie.”
Lizbeth Rios of West Dundee received the full menu of health care services. She heard about the event from a flier given to her by her daughter.
“I come from a low-income family, and obviously things right now are not affordable to myself,” she said. “So being able to come here and get vision, dental and medical done helps.”
For students like Milva Nakiwala, who attends Ambria College of Nursing in Hoffman Estates, the volunteer experience is valuable.
“I would like the school to incorporate this every semester,” she said.