UPMC Experts Deliver Free Vision and Hearing Care at Annual Mission of Mercy Event

The seventh annual Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh took place on Oct. 27 and 28 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, attracting hundreds of volunteers from the UPMC Vision Institute and Department of Otolaryngology, as well as the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.

Mission of Mercy is presented by A Call to Care, a nonprofit organization based in downtown Pittsburgh that aims to provide underserved populations with the services they need to improve their health and well-being. Initially developed in 2017 to provide dental care to those in need, the event has expanded to include free vision and hearing care.

This year’s event provided more than 1,700 individuals – a record in attendance – with free vision, hearing, and dental care. Volunteers from the UPMC Vision Institute provided 825 vision screenings, and thanks to Essilor Foundation, 722 individuals screened will receive free glasses. More than 440 people received hearing tests from volunteers from the University of Pittsburgh Department of Otolaryngology, with 274 receiving free hearing aids.

“Our faculty, trainees, and staff always welcome the chance to connect with our community, and Mission of Mercy allows us to do just that,” said Evan “Jake” Waxman, MD, PhD, professor and vice chair of education at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology and leader of the UPMC Vision Institute’s community outreach efforts. “Events like this enable us to help people improve their quality of life and to identify potential risk factors that might influence their health in the future.”