The 2nd Annual Lee County Healthy Day provided much needed FREE healthcare for 236 patients during the second annual event held at the Leeman Field at Pennington Gap on September 5-6.
The Health Wagon along with wonderful partners provided FREE services including echocardiograms, chest x-rays, lab work, hearing screenings, bone density screenings, mammograms, pap smears, physical examinations, dermatology evaluations, mental health, pharmacy medication management, vision screenings, and sign-ups for insurance. In addition, specialty pulmonary, cardiology and pediatrics consults were provided. Much needed dental care was provided that included dental examinations, cleaning, fillings and extractions. Eye exam and eyeglasses made on site were also provided.
“This is a great story and tells of an event that easily can be duplicated in multiple locations year-round to get people needed health care,” said Dr. Joe Smiddy, Health Wagon Medical Director. Also, as a local musician Dr. Smiddy entertained the patients with gospel music as being a member of the Lee County Pickers. Local resident Ron Car and 4Him also joined in the beautiful singings that deliver a spiritual complement to the event.
Educational Initiatives, Community Engagement and Vendor Participants:
Lee County Healthy Day featured educational booths providing valuable information on nutrition, preventive healthcare measures, and valuable resources. Educational sessions led by healthcare professionals addressed topics such as diabetes management, heart health, and cancer prevention, fostering a culture of health literacy and empowerment within the community.
In addition to medical services, Move Mountains Medical Mission offered dental services for adults and pediatrics through Owens and Hill Dental Clinic mobile outreach and Appalachia Miles for Smiles. The services provided included oral cancer screenings, exams, fillings, extractions, and cleanings. Mountain Empire Community College Dental Assistant Program under the direction of Dr. Emily Bowen, DDS provided cleanings to the participants.
Partners who made this event possible included Appalachian Miles for Smiles, Ballad Health, The Lions Club of Virginia, Virginia Department of Health, Lab Corp, Pepsi & Food City, Feeding Southwest Virginia, United Breast Cancer Foundation, Frontier Health, SaVida Health, Kinship Navigator, Appalachian Harvest, Centene Vision Services, Mountain Empire Community College General Assistant Program under the direction of Dr. Emily Bowen DDS, Owens and Hill Dental Clinic, MEOC, Jennifer Jolife, Patio Restaurant, Pennington Gap Mayor Larry Holbrook, Leeman Field Park Staff, LMU, Lee County, Ron Carson and For Him, Lee County Pickers and The Health Wagon.
Services Provided and Estimated Cost of Service Value and Patients seen:
A comprehensive range of healthcare services to 236 patients, including:
Chest X-Rays, pulmonary function tests, echocardiograms (Echo), electrocardiograms (EKG), cardiology evaluations, mammograms, pap Smears, vision screenings, eyeglasses, hearing screenings, physicals, diabetic education, lab services, dental services including oral cancer screenings, extractions and fillings.
Total Estimated Cost of Care (that was provided at no charge): $161,501.05
Total of patients seen: 236
In the Media:
“Free health, dental care event planned September 5-6 in Lee County”
“Lee County Healthy Day brings free health care to region” (Times-News)
“Lee County Healthy Day brings free health care to region” (JC Press)
“Lee County Healthy Days free clinic set for September 5-6”
“Free health clinic coming to SWVA” (WYMT)
“Second annual Lee County Healthy Day provided free healthcare hundred of patients” (Middlesboro News)
