At Northern Westchester Hospital, Mount Kisco, N.Y., a health outreach program helps members of the community to improve their health while giving the hospital's nurses the opportunity to become public health educators. Residents without health insurance can take advantage of free monthly health lectures and screenings to receive health benefits.
The grant-funded health outreach program has grown over the past few years. Sue Gamache, RN, MSN, a staff member in the public affairs department of the hospital and community educator, is in charge of setting up health lectures and free community screening events in the hospital's service area.
Half of the screening events are set up for the general public and half are designed for underserved populations, including the working poor and those without health insurance. Screenings are for cholesterol, osteoporosis, diabetes, vascular disease, and blood pressure, among others, throughout the community. They are one-to-one, with a nurse from the hospital providing results, education, and referrals.
Gamache says she likes the prevention aspect of public health and its overall impact on people's lives. Pam Werner, RN, says she likes teaching because it is satisfying to know that she is helping others who wouldn't otherwise have access to vital information.
To find out more about the events, contact Sue Gamache at 914-666-1273, or [email protected].
