UPMC Vision, Hearing, and Dental Experts Deliver Free Care at Annual Mission of Mercy Event
December 10, 2024
Hundreds of volunteers, including faculty members, trainees, alumni, and staff from the UPMC Vision Institute, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Health Sciences Communication Science and Disorders Department, and University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine delivered free care to patients in need at the eighth annual Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh event on Nov. 1 and 2 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh-based nonprofit A Call to Care presents this annual event, which began in 2017 to provide free dental care to people in need. The effort soon expanded to include vision and hearing care as well.
Over the course of two days, vision volunteers provided 693 vision screenings, with 552 people receiving free glasses. More than 400 people underwent hearing tests and 289 received free hearing aids.
“Healthy vision is critical, but many people can’t get regular eye exams or get glasses as often as they need,” 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 Mission of Mercy allow us to provide our neighbors with the care they need so they can have a better quality of life.
Catherine Palmer, PhD, director of audiology at UPMC and chair of Pitt’s Department of Communication Science Disorders, agrees.
“Hearing care and hearing devices are vital to quality of life and wellness, but a lot of people can’t access this care due to travel or financial constraints. Medicare does not cover these services or devices, and it is uncommon for other insurers to provide coverage,” she said. “At Mission of Mercy, our team not only provides care, but we also connect people to our ongoing free clinics in order to access batteries and care and maintenance throughout the year.”
Since its founding, Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh has provided more than 7,200 patients with free care. Services include dental exams, vision screenings, and hearing tests, as well as dental cleanings and tooth extractions, free eyeglasses and hearing aids, and hearing air repair.
