Even in extreme heat, 126 people participated in medical screenings from Texas County Memorial Hospital on June 29 in Licking at Intercounty Electric Cooperative’s 82nd annual meeting.
The $25 medical screenings included a blood draw with multiple lab screenings, blood pressure checks and several educational components. Doctor’s orders were not required.
Participants will receive the results from the blood tests as well as a guide to help interpret the results in the mail a couple weeks after the event. After receiving their results, participants can choose to take them to their primary care doctor if they wish to follow up.
“This is such a good thing for our community,” said Connie Brooks, TCMH education director said. “We are offering these screenings for a price that you can’t beat; no insurance required.
“We see a lot of people who simply can’t afford to have these kinds of tests run through the hospital or their primary care doctor. This allows those patients to gain access to a portion of healthcare that they may forego otherwise.”
Heather Satterfield, Intercounty director of communications, said the organization appreciates the service provided by TCMH.
“Our members don’t care what the weather brings each year,” she said, “they will stand in line in the heat or rain to make sure they get to take advantage of the opportunity.”
In addition to the blood draws and blood pressure checks, TCMH staff members provided education to the public on stroke and heart attack awareness and risk factors, healthy lifestyles, TCMH providers and current services available through the hospital.
TCMH also gave away a gift basket that included cook out supplies. Goldie Sims from Salem was the winner.
TCMH has provided the screenings at Intercounty meetings for more than 30 years.
“This event allows us to connect with the community in a way that we may not get to otherwise,” said Wes Murray, TCMH chief executive. “It’s a great time to get together, meet people and let them know we are here for them.”