TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Something 13 Action News did decades ago is still helping people stay healthy today.
The Mercy Health Community Health Program hit the road in 1984 in a motor van loaned to them by our station. Today, the program continues to be a driving force when it comes to proactive health screenings for those who often need it most.
The idea behind the free screening program is simple.
“We really want to get awareness of checking things like your blood pressure, your blood sugar and your cholesterol,” said Bethny Pfeiffer, the nurse coordinator for Mercy’s Community Health Affairs. “We want you to know your numbers so you can prevent problems later on.”
“It really is bringing health care beyond the walls of the hospital,” said Jessica Henry, the Director of Community Health for Mercy.
Henry adds that through the years, the program has not only helped change lives, it’s helped save lives.
“Nurses do hear stories from previous patients who say if it wasn’t for that blood pressure screening, I might not be alive today. At the end of the day, that is really what it is all about,” said Henry. “It’s much better to prevent than to have to treat. When you get to a place of having to treat, it is much more expensive.”
Some of the patients are underinsured or uninsured and Henry says they have people on hand who can help with that as well.
“We often have a patient care navigator who will join the nurses to help people who are not insured, get connected to health care,” said Henry.
The nurses go to places including community events, libraries as well as senior and community centers. In addition to the free screenings, nurses can also cover health education topics with patients.
“We go to about 20 to 25 places every month and serve about 200 people a month,” said Pfeiffer.
The program has significantly expanded its reach in recent years.
“Last year, we provided $100,000 in community benefit,” said Henry. “I just ran the numbers, and as of June, we had already provided $100 in community benefit.”
The free screening program operates year-round and the nurses are sometimes out on the road five to six days a week.
By the way, the original van has long since retired.
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