August 14, 2009
Back to School blitz provides physicals and immunizations
The following information was provided by Trista Neisen in the marketing department at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Evansville.
For many people, a doctor’s visit is just one more item on their back-to-school to-do list. But for families without insurance, trying to meet the state’s requirement that all children be up-to-date on their immunizations and physical examinations can be more than their budget can bear.
Nearly 100 families from Van-derburgh County got free physicals and immunizations in the Back to School Blitz held July 16, which was sponsored by St. Mary’s Children’s Services, the School-Community Council, Vanderburgh County Department of Health, ECHO Community Health Care and the Courier and Press Young Reader Services.
In addition to medical care, health education materials and assistance with Hoosier Health-wise enrollment, the state-sponsored health insurance program, was available to all those who attended the event.
“I don’t have health insurance for my children and they have to have physicals so that’s something that’s important,” said parent Diane Brown, who signed her two daughters up for the free services.
Brown was not alone. Children were seen from all five Evansville-Vanderburgh County high schools, six of the middle schools, 10 of the elementary schools and five parochial schools.
Of the families attending, 67 children had no insurance or Hoosier Healthwise coverage; 38 of the children indicated they have no primary care physician.
“We believe that everyone should have access to both coverage and care,” said Tim Flesch, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Health System. “The poor and vulnerable need de-cent and affordable healthcare coverage as part of a sustainable program. It is our mission, along with all of the organizations, doctors, nurses and volunteers with this event, to im-prove the health status of our community.”