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Note #8338 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Health Ministries putting van on the road
GA04046
June 29, 2004

Health Ministries putting van on the road

'Rolling exam room' will serve people in two Kentucky presbyteries

by Vicki Fogel Mykles

RICHMOND, June 29 - The Presbyterian Women's Birthday Offering has approved a
four-year grant to the Office of National Health Ministries to pay for a
mobile health-screening van to serve the people of the presbyteries of
Transylvania and Mid-Kentucky.

The van, a $160,000 rolling exam room, will be ready in mid-2005. Its
volunteer staff will help people of all ages in medically under-served parts
of the presbyteries, providing "life-changing" non-invasive medical services
such as blood pressure, vision and dental screenings. Patients in need of
further care and information will be referred to regional facilities.

When the van is not in the field, it will travel to presbytery,
congregational and church-wide events to demonstrate its services and recruit
volunteer staff.

Pat Gleich, the PC(USA)'s associate for national health ministries, said it
will be "a vehicle to communicate health ministry" and a way for the church
to be involved in hands-on ministry.

The Rev. Girdharry Kissoon, a pastor who also serves as chaplain at the
Brooklyn Veterans Administration Medical Center, said after checking out a
loaner van on the floor of the exhibit hall: "I was grateful to have my blood
pressure checked and ask questions about my health. This will be a great
benefit to people in general and in the work of promoting health and
spirituality."

Kissoon, upon learning that his blood pressure was normal, smiled and said,
"I can go the second mile." He said he plans to describe his experience with
the health van to his congregation.

"I went through the health screening check this morning, and it was a great
experience," said the Rev. Jerry Beavers, a chaplain at Muskingum College.
Beavers was asked about his lifestyle, eating and exercise habits, and his
blood pressure was checked. Volunteers then developed a health plan for him,
based on a program workbook called "Healthy Steps: A Simple Program for
Healthier Living."

Beavers was told that he should lose some weight and make a few sensible
lifestyle changes. "I was encouraged by the plan," he said. "It has good
suggestions, and keeps me accountable through journal entries."

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