Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Emily Hall—Bringing Clarity and Compassion to Clearwater Free Clinic

When Dr. Emily Hall first heard about Clearwater Free Clinic, it wasn’t through an ad or a professional connection—it was through one of her own patients. Inspired by the patient’s story and the Clinic’s mission, Dr. Hall didn’t hesitate. “She gave me the information, and I started working here probably the next month,” Dr. Hall recalls with a smile. Since the summer of 2021, she has been sharing her time and expertise to bring essential eye care to patients who need it most. 

As a volunteer optometrist, Dr. Hall provides comprehensive eye exams at the Clinic. Her role goes far beyond writing prescriptions for glasses; she checks the overall health of her patients’ eyes, manages glaucoma treatment, and works closely with other medical professionals to ensure patients receive specialized care when necessary.

“We recently acquired a brand new visual field test with updated technology. It allows us to gain more accurate information, much more efficiently. It is a game changer for our patients,” Dr. Hall said. “The on-site pharmacy at the Clearwater Free Clinic has most of the common medications that I prescribe. This provides a valuable service to the patient, and peace of mind for myself, knowing that my patient is going home with the medication they need.”

The purchase of our new visual field test, thanks to Sue & Jim Petru and the Schoenbaum Family Foundation, has advanced our Eye Care Program immensely. The visual field test allows optometrists to diagnose eye conditions earlier and prevent loss of vision for many of our diabetic, pre-diabetic, and glaucoma patients. 

For Dr. Hall, the Clinic’s resources and collaborative approach are part of what makes volunteering such a rewarding experience. “It’s super comprehensive here. I have everything I need to provide the same quality of care I do in my own practice,” she explains. “And I know that when we refer patients out, they’re actually getting the care they need. We follow up with them. That makes all the difference.” 

Over the past year, Dr. Hall has witnessed both the challenges and triumphs of providing eye care to an underserved population. Some of the hardest moments have come when patients arrive with advanced conditions that have gone untreated for too long. “I’ve seen patients with severe glaucoma because they just didn’t have access to treatment earlier,” she shares. Despite these difficult cases, Dr. Hall remains dedicated to her mission of helping patients regain their sight and peace of mind. 

Dr. Hall credits the Clinic’s strong support system for making her volunteer experience so positive. Two people who stand out to here are Bob, our Patient Care Coordinator who refers a lot of our patients to the Lions Club for eye surgeries and exams, and Barbara, our volunteer physician’s assistant. “Bob and Barbara are amazing,” she says. “Bob is always there to help coordinate with outside doctors or handle anything we need. And Barb—she’s fantastic. I don’t think I could see four or five patients in an afternoon without her. She’s on top of everything.” 

For anyone considering volunteering at Clearwater Free Clinic, Dr. Hall has a heartfelt message. “You don’t have to commit a ton of time—even just an afternoon every couple of months makes a difference. You leave here knowing you did something good for someone else. Donating your time is so much more valuable than donating money, and we could definitely use more doctors—especially in the Eye Clinic.” 

With her expertise, compassion, and dedication, Dr. Emily Hall embodies the spirit of Clearwater Free Clinic. We are grateful for her service and inspired by the clarity she brings—both to our patients’ vision and to their lives.