Willow Clinic student volunteers host health and resources fair Saturday in Sacramento
By Edwin Garcia
(SACRAMENTO)
The student-run Willow Clinic will host its annual Veterans Day Health Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Sacramento.
The 14th annual Willow Clinic Veterans Day Health Fair on Saturday will feature free haircuts, physical exams and other services.
The fair features medical care, haircuts, vaccines, social services, coats, winter survival supplies, food and more. It takes place at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 67, 2784 Stockton Blvd.
The free event is open to all — veterans and non-veterans.
“Everyone is welcome, especially people with housing insecurity because it’s one of the services we offer — helping people with housing,” said Morgan Murry, a second-year student at the UC Davis School of Medicine and Willow Clinic volunteer.
Willow Clinic, which is staffed by medical students and undergraduate students, offers free medical and other services weekly to vulnerable populations, including those experiencing homelessness. The fair is one of the clinic’s major community service projects.
Among the services provided at the 14th annual fair:
Physical exams
Medical evaluations
Flu vaccines
Foot care
Lice checks
Support for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors
Resources on how to find housing
People experiencing homelessness have faced health challenges over the past year due to strict enforcement of encampments, Murry explained.
“Because of the sweeps, people have been unable to keep their medications, or their belongings, and it’s exacerbating a lot of their health issues such as their ability to care for themselves or follow medical advice,” Murry said.
In addition, she added, people who are unhoused are seeking less medical care in hospitals and community clinics than before the sweeps.
“It’s become difficult to maintain and treat their chronic conditions,” Murry added.
Clinic volunteers are hoping the convenience of the one-stop-shop fair will encourage the unhoused population to attend and resume their medical care.
The winter coat giveaway, organized by undergrads at the UC Davis campus, is one of the fair’s most popular features. Anyone who wants to contribute coats and other winter gear can email the clinic to make donation arrangements.
