Community Corner

Free Health Care Clinic This Weekend in McCook

The Westchester-based CURE Network plans to offer hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of free health care this weekend to area residents.

The Westchester-based CURE Network plans to offer hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of free health care this weekend to area residents. 

Patients can receive free vision, dental and medical services at CURE's third clinic program, which aims to help those in need by offering the time and expertise of licensed health care professionals.   

Doors open at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 at the MAX McCook Athletic & Exposition Center, 4750 South Vernon Ave. in McCook. 

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Local Dr. Ken Nelson, a co-founder of CURE, completed his residency training in Family Medicine at La Grange Memorial Hospital and helped found the Prairie Medical Group in west suburban Westchester. For the past two decades, Nelson has also volunteered at the La Grange-based Community Nurse Health Association’s free clinic for adults and has served as the clinic’s Medical Director since 1992.

Since the CURE Network was founded in 2010, it's provided more than $2 million in free care to about 3,000 patients, according to a news release. 

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"This clinic will bring much needed services to patients who cannot afford eye exams, dental work and general medical services," Nelson said. 

Targeted areas include patients living in Bridgeview, Broadview, Brookfield, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Countryside, Darien, Downers Grove, Hickory Hills, Hinsdale, Hodgkins, Indian Head Park, Justice, La Grange, La Grange Park, Lyons, McCook, North Riverside, Oakbrook, Riverside, Stickney, Summit, Westchester, Western Springs, Westmont, Willowbrook and Willow Springs.

There are no appointments and no pre-registration, but patients may get in line for services anytime before 6:30 a.m., when the doors open. The clinic will close once it reaches capacity for the day. Patients under 18 must be accompanied by an adults, and all patients without a medical or dental provider will be referred to one. 

According to the CURE Network news release, services will include:

Dental care will consist of basic fillings and extractions, with emphasis on alleviating pain and infection. Dental services will be provided off-site at local dental offices and mandatory free transportation will be provided to and from the clinic.

Vision services include basic eye exams to check the overall health of the eyes and to see if prescription eyeglasses are needed. Advanced screening for glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration will be offered if necessary. Prescription for eyeglasses will be released and glasses will be made on-site as time and supplies permit.

Medical services include a review of a patient’s medical history, medications and vital signs. The assessments will be done by nurses and other allied health staff. Physicians will be available as necessary.

To get involved, to volunteer or to donate go to www.curenetwork.org.


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