College Hopes to Raise Awareness of Community Health Programs During Meigs County Event

(ATHENS, Ohio — June 3, 2015) In April, Community Health Programs (CHP) at Ohio University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine took delivery of a new 40-foot mobile health clinic. Now program officials are hoping its presence at a big health care event in Pomeroy, Ohio, this week will help spread the word about the many free and reduced-cost health care services the college offers.

People from area counties can visit the new mobile clinic when it takes part in an event meant to provide training for the U.S. military while bringing 10 days of free health care to the region. The Heritage College hopes some who visit the clinic will go on to take further advantage of health care programs the college provides.

“We have a medically underserved population right in our own backyard,” explained Carole Merckle, BSN, RN, assistant director of Community Health Programs and the Area Health Education Center. “What we’re hoping to get out of this is being able to become a resource for more people to help fill gaps in healthcare.”

Since 1994, Community Health Programs mobile clinics have been logging hundreds of thousands of miles, providing free and reduced-cost health care to people who need it in multiple southeastern Ohio counties. Merckle said, however, that plenty of people who could benefit from CHP’s help still don’t know it’s available. Programs include screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and glaucoma; immunizations for children and adults; free clinics (episodic, dermatology and diabetes); and breast & cervical screenings.

The Ohio River Medical Mission, June 2-11, is a Medical Innovative Readiness Training for the U.S. military. During this time, free medical services are being offered to the public 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Meigs High School, 42091 Pomeroy Pike. Veterinary services will be available starting June 3 at the county fairgrounds, 41850 Fairgrounds Lane.

The Meigs County Commissioners, with help from Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District, applied successfully to the U.S. Department of Defense to bring the mission to the county. Services include health screenings; dentist visits; vision screenings and prescriptions; behavioral health screenings; and referrals to local providers. You don’t have to live in Meigs County to access the services or be low-income. Service is first-come, first-served.

Merckle noted that after the Mission ends, the region’s health care needs will go on. She hopes some people who attend will follow up by visiting the mobile clinic when it comes to their county. Mindy Cayton, a planner at Buckeye Hills, said the mobile clinic will provide breast and cervical screenings that otherwise wouldn’t be available from the Medical Mission and help publicize Community Health Programs as a health care supplier for many in the region who need it.

“The most important thing that the Heritage College’s presence at this medical mission is making the public aware of the services the college provides,” Cayton said. “The check-out portion of this mission is to connect our patients with local services and supports. By having a presence at the Ohio River Medical Mission, the Heritage College will be opening the door and making their existence and services known, which will hopefully be the first step for our community toward better maintenance of their health.”

The public and interested area media are invited to tour the mobile clinic around noon Saturday, June 6. To arrange, contact Jim Phillips in the Heritage College Office of Communication at [email protected], 740-593-2202 (office) or 740-517-1022 (mobile).