| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
GA04046 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Health Ministries putting van on the road |
|
| |
|
|
| |
'Rolling exam room' will serve people in two Kentucky presbyteries |
|
| |
|
|
| |
by Vicki Fogel Mykles |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
RICHMOND, June 29 - The Presbyterian Women's Birthday Offering has approved a four-year grant to the Office of National Health Ministries to pay for a mobile health-screening van to serve the people of the presbyteries of Transylvania and Mid-Kentucky.
The van, a $160,000 rolling exam room, will be ready in mid-2005. Its volunteer staff will help people of all ages in medically under-served parts of the presbyteries, providing "life-changing" non-invasive medical services such as blood pressure, vision and dental screenings. Patients in need of further care and information will be referred to regional facilities.
When the van is not in the field, it will travel to presbytery, congregational and church-wide events to demonstrate its services and recruit volunteer staff. |
|
Marion Johnson, a member of Chester Presbyterian Church in Chester, Va., checked Curtis Kearns' blood pressure in the Health Ministries USA mobile health van. Kearns is director of the National Ministries Division. Photo by Danny Bolin |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Pat Gleich, the PC(USA)'s associate for national health ministries, said it will be "a vehicle to communicate health ministry" and a way for the church to be involved in hands-on ministry.
 Click the link to hear Pat Gleich in the Windows Media Player
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Peanut, the poster dog for the Congregational Caregiving Using Special Pets program, greets visitors to the mobile health van. Photo by David P Young |
|
The Rev. Girdharry Kissoon, a pastor who also serves as chaplain at the Brooklyn Veterans Administration Medical Center, said after checking out a loaner van on the floor of the exhibit hall: "I was grateful to have my blood pressure checked and ask questions about my health. This will be a great benefit to people in general and in the work of promoting health and spirituality."
Kissoon, upon learning that his blood pressure was normal, smiled and said, "I can go the second mile." He said he plans to describe his experience with the health van to his congregation. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Click the link to hear Girdharry Kissoon in the Windows Media Player.
"I went through the health screening check this morning, and it was a great experience," said the Rev. Jerry Beavers, a chaplain at Muskingum College. Beavers was asked about his lifestyle, eating and exercise habits, and his blood pressure was checked. Volunteers then developed a health plan for him, based on a program workbook called "Healthy Steps: A Simple Program for Healthier Living."
Beavers was told that he should lose some weight and make a few sensible lifestyle changes. "I was encouraged by the plan," he said. "It has good suggestions, and keeps me accountable through journal entries."
Click the link to hear Jerry Beavers in the Windows Media Player. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
