Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh’s October event shattered the previous record, surpassing 2,000 patients. In fact, the free dental, vision, and hearing clinic reached capacity by early afternoon on its second day. The Eye & Ear Foundation in partnership with Call to Care hosted the two-day event, which took place October 24-25.
“Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh extends our heartfelt thanks to the nearly 2,000 volunteers who joined us this weekend in delivery compassionate aid to our patients,” Keith Young, Board Member and Past Board Chair, Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh, said in a social media post. “Together, you helped us provide much needed care to hundreds of our neighbors. Pain was relieved, vision and hearing were enhanced, and, in many instances, medical emergencies were avoided. Truly, this event embodies the soul of the city.”
Catherine V. Palmer, PhD, Director of UPMC Audiology, said they had the largest group thus far in the four years they’ve participated with Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh. A total of 217 volunteers in the hearing clinic completed 408 hearing tests, provided 320 individuals with hearing aids (a total of 636 hearing aids), and supplied hearing protection to 200. Otology saw 175 people.
“We worked with patients of all ages and once again witnessed the smiles and tears of joy as people were able to hear,” Dr. Palmer said. “It was wonderful to have UPMC audiologists, community audiologists, Pitt faculty, Pitt AuD and undergraduate students, our friends from Penn State, and lots of Pitt AuD alumni come and support this effort.”
One family that benefited was one with a young child who was tested and found to have significant hearing loss. The family knew the child had hearing loss but lacked resources, so they did not pursue care. This led them to Mission of Mercy, where the hearing clinic was able to explain the pathway to Children’s Hospital, where children in PA are taken care of without cost. The audiologist gathered the family’s information and reached out to a CHP audiology colleague, who saw the child at CHP a few days later. The child is now scheduled to soon receive their first hearing aids.
“This really speaks to the impact of Mission of Mercy in a different way and the incredible network of audiologists in Pittsburgh who figure out how to care for everyone,” Dr. Palmer said.
Jake Waxman, MD, PhD, Director, UPMC Eye Center Mercy, also said the vision clinic had a new record number of people served. The vision clinic’s 175 volunteers saw 778 individuals. Dr. Waxman said it was inspiring to work with everyone. “Among the things that stood out to me was the dedication of the team of providers – ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, students, techs, clerical staff – who would simply not stop working for our neighbors,” he said. “It was difficult to get the volunteers to take a break or surrender their chairs to the next volunteer.”
However, he added, “It is sad that in the United States of America, the greatest nation in the world, people had to line up outside in the cold packed in a line four blocks long to receive basic vision, hearing, and dental care,” Dr. Waxman said.