As part of Saint Thomas Health’s commitment to serve the poor and vulnerable in Middle Tennessee, the five-hospital health system will host a free medical screening event in Rutherford County from 10:00AM to 1:30PM on Saturday, June 8th, at the Minerva Drive Church of Christ located at 1115 Minerva Drive.
Volunteer medical personnel, including, physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, technicians, pharmacists and dozens of other hospital staff from Middle Tennessee Medical Center, Baptist Hospital, Hickman Community Hospital and Saint Thomas Hospital, will provide free medical, dental and optical check-ups, along with pharmacy services from the Dispensary of Hope, to Rutherford County residents most in need. Optical check-ups will be provided by Coley and Coley Family Eye Care and dental check-ups will be provided by the Tennessee Department of Health and the non-profit Hope Smiles.
“It is our responsibility as a mission-driven ministry to care for the poor and vulnerable, especially in our own communities,” said Nancy Anness, vice president of advocacy, access and community outreach for Saint Thomas Health.
Rutherford County has more than 274,000 residents. For the latest data reported in 2010, 16 percent of the residents are uninsured. More than 12 percent of Rutherford County residents are living below the poverty level with.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to serve those needing care so close to home,” said Kathy Ferrell, mobile health outreach coordinator for MTMC. “We have some residents that can’t afford to see a dentist or an ophthalmologist, or get regular checkups. Having this event will be a true blessing for our community.”
Saint Thomas Health is Middle Tennessee’s faith-based, not-for-profit health care system with more than 6,500 associates. Saint Thomas Health is focused on transforming the health care experience and helping people live healthier lives, with special attention to the poor and vulnerable. The regional health system includes – Baptist Hospital, Saint Thomas Hospital and The Hospital for Spinal Surgery in Nashville, Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro and Hickman Community Hospital in Centerville – and a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and rehabilitation facilities. Saint Thomas Health is a member of Ascension Health, a Catholic organization that is the largest not-for-profit health system in the United States. For more information, visit www.sths.com.
