Clatsop County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has benefitted from the contributions of multiple partners.
One of those partners is Medical Teams International, a non-profit humanitarian organization based in Oregon that’s added COVID-19 vaccination and testing to its local outreach services.
MTI delivers disaster relief, refugee medical care, and maternal and child health services in countries around the world.
Locally, MTI’s big red mobile clinic has been a familiar site for several years in Seaside, where it has provided free dental services to residents in need through its Care & Connect program – the largest volunteer-led dental health program in the United States.
With the arrival of COVID-19, MTI joined with Kaiser Permanente to add testing and vaccinations to the mobile dental clinics, in order to bring these vital services to rural communities and medically underserved populations such as those experiencing homelessness.
“As a trusted resource in the Clatsop community, we are able to do what we have always done – emergency dental care – and offer the opportunity for vaccinations in a one-stop-shop,” said MTI’s Victoria Wilson.
In September MTI hosted dental and vaccine clinics in Knappa, Jewell, and Seaside.
“Dental patients are always extremely thankful to receive care, as dental pain can be debilitating,” Wilson said. “Many have been curious about the vaccines, and some people stopped in just to get a vaccine.”
Providing the services at the mobile clinics are volunteer dentists Dr. Holly Chamberlain and Dr. Mark Thomas and volunteer dental assistants Coleen Baxter, Kathleen Spinden and Kathi Karnosh. Vaccinations are provided by Stacy Godwin, RN, and clinic assistants Becky Rux and Gloria Keeth, with help from staff from Clatsop County Public Health and local hospitals. MTI’s clinic manager is Denny Sanders.
MIT will partner with Public Health and Providence Seaside Hospital to offer another outreach vaccine clinic on Wednesday, Dec. 8 in Seaside. Additional clinics in Knappa and Jewell are also in the works. The Clatsop County website has information on upcoming vaccination events.
Go to this link for more information on Medical Teams International, including opportunities to for medical professionals to assist with local clinics.