Dr. Michael McBride presents a free WOW! Working on Wellness Forum titled “Sleeping Well, Staying Healthy” at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., Sequim.

For years, public health messages have stressed the importance of diet and exercise. Now, the sleep deprived American public is learning (the hard way) that sleep is a critical part of a healthy lifestyle. Insufficient sleep is directly related to poor health and fuels inflammation which can lead to a variety of diseases. Poor sleep has been found to increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, stroke, hypertension, depression and a number of cancers. McBride will focus on ways to improve the quality of sleep and reducing health risks.

McBride is a licensed psychologist who has practiced on the Olympic Peninsula for the past 33 years. He is board-certified in Medical Psychology and Psychopharmacology. He has also served as an adjunct professor for Western Washington University and Fuller Theological Seminary, and received his Ph.D from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

From 1:45-2:15 p.m., volunteer nurses from the clinic will be available to check the blood pressure of anyone who may be interested.

WOW! Working on Wellness is a health education program of Dungeness Valley Health & Wellness Clinic, Sequim’s free clinic. The clinic provides basic urgent care and chronic health care services to uninsured community members.

Clinic work is supported by more than 70 volunteers, including physicians, other professional health care providers and laypersons as well as private and public donations from the Sequim community and beyond.

The Basic Urgent Care Clinic is open to patients on Monday and Thursday evenings beginning at 5 p.m.

Individuals interested in supporting the clinic may call 360-582-0218.