Print
E-mail
Comment
Healthy Attitudes
  
|
By MATT HOLLIS
The halls of East Houston Regional Medical Center (EHRMC) were packed with hundreds of local residents who had turned out for the hospital’s annual Community Health Fair Day, July 26.
Most had come for the free immunizations offered during the fair through the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Caravan.
“Insurance can be limited when it comes to vaccines,” said Alejandra Leal, lead nurse for the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Caravan program. “Some people have to spend about $200 for shots, not counting the doctor’s visit. This will help prevent diseases. That is what we are here for.”
Leal said the program offers vaccines year round. She said nearly 200 children were vaccinated at the fair with about 490 shots. They vaccinated for such diseases as polio and chicken pox using acellular pertussis vaccine or DTaP.
In addition to receiving vaccinations, children could learn how to do laproscopic surgery using grapes and apple slices.
“It shows them what surgeons do on a daily basis,” said Courtney Meyer, an RN in the surgical department.
The fair had representatives from different healthcare organizations.
“The people here are loving it,” said Linda Howard, Angels Above Us marketing representative. “Some seniors do not understand this is a free service.”
Chris Tinsley of CanCare, a cancer support group, said she was at the fair to educate people on how to fight cancer.
“People tend to shy away from cancer and fear is the biggest problem,” Tinsley said. “It can send them into a tailspin. We tell them to not wait or it may be too late.” CanCare, Tinsley said, offers one- on-one support for people with cancer who are of the same gender, age and ethnicity.
“This gives them someone who ha been there,” Tinsley said. “It also gives them hope and comfort.”
American Red Cross (ARC) representative Tonya Jones was on hand sharing information about disaster preparedness.
“With hurricane season upon us, people need to know what to be prepared for and what to be prepared with.”
Jones also said the ARC holds CPR Parties, where people gather to learn how to perform life-saving techniques.
Participants at the fair expressed gratitude for the health information they were receiving.
“It’s good that it’s free,” said Juana Sanchez, who was at the fair receiving a free eye checkup. “Most of the people here do not have money to check these things out. Your health is something that cannot be taken for granted.”
Representatives from LyondellBassell and Equistar came to the fair to tell people about CAPLE, or the Community Advisory Panel to LyondellBassell and Equistar.
Natalie Moreno of the East Loop Chiropractic Clinic was giving free spinal screenings at the fair.
“People think about going to the eye doctor or a dentist, but never think about going to a chiropractor to check on their spine,” Moreno said. “It can benefit them so well.”
Dr. Harry Smith of Texas Oncology said he has been to big hospitals before, but the community mindset of EHRMC is something he says is special.
“I feel a lot more comfortable at (EHRMC),” Smith said. “The administration takes time to get to know you on a personal basis. Fairs like this get people comfortable with the hospital.”
“This is the second year we have offered immunizations and it helps prepare the children to go back to school,” Forbes said.
Most had come for the free immunizations offered during the fair through the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Caravan.
“Insurance can be limited when it comes to vaccines,” said Alejandra Leal, lead nurse for the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Caravan program. “Some people have to spend about $200 for shots, not counting the doctor’s visit. This will help prevent diseases. That is what we are here for.”
Leal said the program offers vaccines year round. She said nearly 200 children were vaccinated at the fair with about 490 shots. They vaccinated for such diseases as polio and chicken pox using acellular pertussis vaccine or DTaP.
In addition to receiving vaccinations, children could learn how to do laproscopic surgery using grapes and apple slices.
“It shows them what surgeons do on a daily basis,” said Courtney Meyer, an RN in the surgical department.
The fair had representatives from different healthcare organizations.
“The people here are loving it,” said Linda Howard, Angels Above Us marketing representative. “Some seniors do not understand this is a free service.”
Chris Tinsley of CanCare, a cancer support group, said she was at the fair to educate people on how to fight cancer.
“People tend to shy away from cancer and fear is the biggest problem,” Tinsley said. “It can send them into a tailspin. We tell them to not wait or it may be too late.” CanCare, Tinsley said, offers one- on-one support for people with cancer who are of the same gender, age and ethnicity.
“This gives them someone who ha been there,” Tinsley said. “It also gives them hope and comfort.”
American Red Cross (ARC) representative Tonya Jones was on hand sharing information about disaster preparedness.
“With hurricane season upon us, people need to know what to be prepared for and what to be prepared with.”
Jones also said the ARC holds CPR Parties, where people gather to learn how to perform life-saving techniques.
Participants at the fair expressed gratitude for the health information they were receiving.
“It’s good that it’s free,” said Juana Sanchez, who was at the fair receiving a free eye checkup. “Most of the people here do not have money to check these things out. Your health is something that cannot be taken for granted.”
Representatives from LyondellBassell and Equistar came to the fair to tell people about CAPLE, or the Community Advisory Panel to LyondellBassell and Equistar.
Natalie Moreno of the East Loop Chiropractic Clinic was giving free spinal screenings at the fair.
“People think about going to the eye doctor or a dentist, but never think about going to a chiropractor to check on their spine,” Moreno said. “It can benefit them so well.”
Dr. Harry Smith of Texas Oncology said he has been to big hospitals before, but the community mindset of EHRMC is something he says is special.
“I feel a lot more comfortable at (EHRMC),” Smith said. “The administration takes time to get to know you on a personal basis. Fairs like this get people comfortable with the hospital.”
“This is the second year we have offered immunizations and it helps prepare the children to go back to school,” Forbes said.
Submit a Comment
|
You must be logged in to post a comment.
|
Not yet a registered member?
Click here to become one. Comments to stories and articles on the Web site are not edited or pre-approved before appearing online. Readers posting comments are solely responsible for those comments. Comments must be germane to the story to which they apply. Online comments that are libelous, profane or personally attack another site participant can be reported as abuse using the link provided on each comment. Comments reported as abusive will be reviewed and may be removed from view, as will off-topic comments. BE CIVIL. Individuals continually posting abusive comments to the site may have their registrations revoked. |
