On September 30, 2023, hundreds of residents in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, accessed free medical, vision, and dental services during a 12-hour clinic organized by the Love Impact Coalition at the Lemann Memorial Community Center. The event drew a significant turnout, underscoring the community’s pressing healthcare needs.
The clinic provided a wide range of services, including vision exams and prescription glasses, dental cleanings, extractions, and fillings. Medical screenings for sexually transmitted infections and colon cancer were also available, along with maternal and general health information. Notably, the clinic operated on a first-come, first-served basis and did not require identification or insurance for patients to receive care.
Founded by Donna Collins-Lewis, a former Baton Rouge Metro Council member, the Love Impact Coalition has been hosting free medical events since 2018. Collins-Lewis conceived the idea after visiting a similar clinic in Idaho. Since its inception, the organization has conducted numerous clinics across Louisiana, including locations such as Baton Rouge, Opelousas, Alexandria, and Shreveport. “We have a goal of offering four free clinics per year, and this year, we’ve already hosted six,” Collins-Lewis noted. Typically, these clinics serve between 400 and 500 individuals each time.
The event received positive feedback from both volunteers and attendees. Anastasia Montgomery, Chief Nursing Officer at West Ascension Parish Hospital, expressed the necessity of such services in the community, stating, “A lot of people can’t afford medical care, and it’s been amazing to witness the support from volunteers.” She emphasized the importance of community involvement, saying, “This warms my heart, and if I could do this every day, I would.”
The clinic showcased strong community support, with Leroy Sullivan, the Mayor of Donaldsonville, highlighting the overwhelming response from volunteers. “I arrived before 5:30 a.m. and there were already people lined up waiting for the doors to open. I could not have asked for anything better,” Sullivan remarked.
The attendance figures surprised many, including Shelton Anthony, Chief Executive Officer of West Ascension Parish Hospital, who noted that the turnout indicates a clear demand for medical services in the area. “We were very surprised at the amount of people that attended,” Anthony said. “That shows there is a need in this community for medical services.”
West Ascension Parish Hospital, located on Memorial Drive in Donaldsonville, offers various healthcare services, including emergency care and cardiology. Anthony mentioned that the hospital plans to host several events in October to raise awareness for breast cancer.
The success of this clinic has sparked hopes for a continuing partnership between the Love Impact Coalition, the city of Donaldsonville, and West Ascension Parish Hospital, aiming to enhance healthcare access for underserved populations.
For more information about the Love Impact Coalition and its initiatives, visit their website at www.loveimpactcoalition.org.
