For some residents of Santa Maria, like Victoria Orihuela, having health insurance has become a financial burden they cannot bear. Orihuela explains, “Paying for health insurance has become really expensive these days and that’s why I don’t have it, I can’t afford it.” In order to receive necessary medical care, Orihuela attended the Life Hope Centers’ free medical and dental clinic at the Santa Maria Seventh Day Adventist Church last Sunday for a tooth extraction. She estimates that the procedure would have cost her hundreds of dollars if she had to pay for it out of pocket.
Upon arriving at the clinic, Orihuela was quickly seated in the dental chair and attended to by volunteers. The annual free clinic has been operating in various locations from Santa Maria to San Francisco since 2016, providing dental, vision, and other services at no charge. Organizers state that over $2.3 million worth of free medical services have been given to those in need.
According to Randall Goodman, an Ophthalmologist and member of the Santa Maria Seventh Day Adventist Church, a large percentage of the Santa Maria population – up to 30% by some estimates – lacks access to quality health care. The services offered at the clinic are entirely volunteer-run, with individuals like Edward Urbina sacrificing their weekends to help those in need. Urbina explains, “Those that go into our profession generally have a heart of compassion, and this is an expression of their heartfelt compassion to serve.”
Hundreds of people attended the clinic to receive various services such as tooth cleanings, haircuts, massages, and physiotherapy. Jaqueline Cruz, a Santa Maria resident, expresses gratitude towards the volunteers, stating, “We’re very grateful to both God and them, who are working on a Sunday when they could be with their families. They’re providing a good service to us, the people who do not have the opportunity of accessible health care.”
The organization plans to announce the date of their next free medical clinic on their website for those interested in receiving assistance. Click here to learn more.