Doctors from Kaiser Permanente Vision Essentials provided free eye exams for people in need as part of volunteer program
A Vancouver man is back on the road — literally — as a driver with a new pair of glasses, courtesy of a special volunteer program organized by Kaiser Permanente.
Nelson Rivera, who drives for ride share services, said he is grateful to have been the recipient of a free eye exam last week during Kaiser Permanente’s MLK Days of Service.
Optometrist Dr. Jeffrey Shrock was one of many doctors throughout the Northwest who participated in the program.
There were clinics set up by Kaiser Permanent Vision Essentials in Vancouver and Longview in Washington as well as in Portland, Clackamas, and Salem in Oregon. In all, 162 patients received free eye exams.
Rivera and other patients like him who are is prediabetic are at a higher risk for vision problems. Shrock ordered a pair of new bifocals for Rivera, who was referred to the MLK Day vision clinic by Battle Ground Health Care.
“Any time we give back to the people in our community, it’s very meaningful and gives my job even more purpose,” Shrock said.
Shrock has been participating in Kaiser Permanente’s MLK Days of Service for 15 years.