Saint Thomas Hospital News

Contact: Paul Lindsley; 615/222-6859; plindsley@stthomas.org

SAINT THOMAS HEALTH SERVICES ANNOUNCES "MEDICAL MISSION AT HOME" FOR HICKMAN COUNTY RESIDENTS

Free medical screenings serve the under and noninsured of community

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (March 3, 2010) – As part of Saint Thomas Health Services’ commitment to 100% access, the four-hospital, faith-based healthcare system will host a free medical screening event in Hickman County.

The Hickman “Medical Mission at Home” event will be held on Saturday, April 17, from 10am to 2pm at the National Guard Armory, located at 150 Universal Drive in Centerville.

Volunteer medical personnel, including, physicians, nurse practitioners, technicians, pharmacists and dozens of other hospital staff from Hickman Community, Saint Thomas Hospital, Baptist Hospital and Middle Tennessee Medical Center, will provide free medical, dental and optical check-ups, along with pharmacy services to Hickman County residents most in need.

This event is similar to last year’s Medical Mission event held in Nashville. Nearly 100 people were seen at that event.

 “It is our responsibility as a mission-driven ministry to care for the poor and vulnerable, especially in our own communities. Hickman County is one of the poorest counties in Tennessee and we are compelled to serve their residents,” said Nancy Anness, Vice President of Advocacy for Saint Thomas Health Services.

Hickman County has approximately 23,000 residents, more than 18% of the residents, around 4,000, are under or noninsured.

“Our hospital, as well as our county, is grateful for this commitment to serve those needing care,” said Kevin Campbell, mission leader at Hickman Community Hospital. “There are so many residents here that can’t afford to see a physician and get regular checkups. Often, people have to buy food or pay rent instead of addressing their serious health issues. Having this event will be a true blessing for so many.”

Hickman County residents can call (931) 729-1945 to sign up for this free event.                                                                     

Saint Thomas Health Services is a faith-based ministry with more than 6,500 associates serving Middle Tennessee. Saint Thomas Health Services' regional health system consists of four hospitals - Baptist and Saint Thomas in Nashville, Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro and Hickman Community Hospital in Centerville - and a comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures in diagnostics, cardiac services and ambulatory surgery as well as medical practices, the Center for Spinal Surgery, clinics and rehabilitation facilities. STHS 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 http://www.sths.com.