Saint Thomas Health to Host Medical Mission

Saint Thomas Health will host a free medical screening day for the community Saturday, June 18, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Grundy County High School at 24970 TN Highway 108 in Coalmont. The screening day is free and open to the public.
Services to be provided include medical care, dental care, foot care, vision care, spiritual care, behavioral health care, diabetes screenings, cholesterol screenings and select prescriptions. This Medical Mission at Home day is part of Saint Thomas Health’s commitment to serve all persons, with special attention to those who are struggling the most in Middle Tennessee. Saint Thomas Health is part of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and non-profit health system.
Volunteer medical personnel, including, physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, nurses, optometrists, technicians, pharmacists, chaplains and dozens of other hospital staff from Saint Thomas Rutherford and River Park Hospitals and across Saint Thomas Health will provide free health care and screenings. Pharmacy services, including select prescription medications for those in need, will also be provided by the Dispensary of Hope. Dental services (on-site fillings and extractions) will be offered by the non-profit organization Hope Smiles. A Mobile Mammography Coach will also be on site.
“It is our responsibility as a mission-driven ministry to care for the poor and vulnerable, especially in our own communities. Grundy County has thousands of uninsured residents and has been termed the poorest county in Tennessee. We are compelled as one healing community to serve those most vulnerable and in need and so it is absolutely fitting that we provide these services right here,” said Nancy Anness, Vice President of Advocacy, Access and Community Outreach for Saint Thomas Health.
Grundy County is estimated to have a population of 13,441 as of July 2015 (U.S. Census Data). More than 22 percent of Grundy County residents are uninsured and nearly 21 percent of the population under age 65 has a disability.
“We are thankful for the opportunity to serve those needing care so close to home,” said Greg Pope, Saint Thomas Health’s Chief Mission Officer. “Healthcare is still out of reach for some of our most vulnerable neighbors. We are grateful to carry out our Mission to serve all persons through this Medical Mission.”
Medical Mission at Home is part of a national effort by Ascension and its caregivers to host similar events across the country. To date, Ascension has held Medical Mission at Home events in Tennessee, Washington D.C., New York, Alabama, Florida and Connecticut, and plans to expand to other markets in the coming months to meet individual and community health needs.
Support for the Grundy County Medical Mission at Home day is provided by the South Cumberland Health Network, Grundy County Health Council, South Cumberland Plateau AmeriCorps VISTA program, Grundy County Schools, South Cumberland Community Fund and the University of the South Office of Community Engagement. Local community partners providing services are Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System, Delta Dental, Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic, Grundy County Health Department, Grundy Primary Care Clinic and the Grundy County Food Bank.