Free Health Clinic Coming To Cookeville High Saturday

Remote Area Medical’s free pop-up clinic will offer care Saturday and Sunday at Cookeville High School.

Clinic Coordinator Hailey Vittetoe said the clinic will offer free medical, dental, and vision care for anyone. Vittetoe said the clinic is an important opportunity to provide care for people who might have to go to Nashville or Knoxville otherwise.

“For some it’s life-changing,” Vittetoe said. “If you don’t have insurance, wherever you’re at in life, and you aren’t able to get or afford to go to a doctor it really can make such a difference of being in pain or not in pain. It affects your daily life on how you feel.”

Vittetoe said the clinic will have general and women’s healthcare. Cleanings, fillings, and extractions will be available in dental care. Eye exams will take place with glasses made onsite.

Vittetoe said the clinic is first come, first served and opens at 6:00am Saturday and Sunday.

“You’ll pull into the clinic overnight,” Vittetoe said. “Officially our doors open at six. We ask patients to come prepared to stay in their car and get in line so bring blankets, bring snacks.”

Vittetoe said there is no official closing time as it depends on the kinds of patients the clinic gets and how long it takes to get through the crowd that comes. Vittetoe said Sunday will be a half-day, likely wrapping up around 11:00am.

“For some it’s their only form of primary care,” Vittetoe said. “We have people list Remote Area Medical as their doctor and they’ll come every single year.”

Vittetoe said the clinic does not take any kind of identification or insurance as the program is completely free. Vittetoe said this is the organization’s tenth year hosting a clinic at Cookeville High School.