A local psychologist has teamed up with medical professionals and Douglas County to host a free health clinic for individuals without secure housing.

The clinic will take place on Saturday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Douglas County Community Health Facility, 200 Maine St. Physicians from the University of Kansas Medical Center’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and podiatrists from Lawrence Podiatry Center LLC will provide services, and the Medical Arts Pharmacy will provide prescriptions for common medical problems when needed. Psychoactive medications, such as pain medications, will not be provided.

Services will include COVID-19 testing, diabetes screening, wound care, foot care, diagnosis and treatment of minor illnesses, physical exams, health promotion and education and more. Patients will be required to wear a face mask while in the building.

Bruce Liese, a psychologist and the clinical director of the University of Kansas’ Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, said working with people at the temporary homeless campsite in Woody Park reminded him that those without secure housing have serious needs for medical care and few resources to get it. He began working with the city, county and participating organizations about a month ago to set up the clinic.

Thought not required, appointments are encouraged, and can be made by calling Douglas County’s SMARTline at 785-550-0764 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. daily. SMARTline is a phone program in Douglas County that people may call to get addiction recovery help.