Tis the season to give back
ETHAN medical camp looks to 'save some lives' for free
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

FULL HOUSE, but not much waiting, as people cycle through health camp stations. More than 100 medical professionals will volunteer at ETHAN's "medical camp" this Saturday, Dec. 1, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Community Church building at 720 South Wheeler in Jasper. Courtesy photo

When is the last time you had a complete medical checkup? Do you know what your blood pressure is, or your cholesterol levels? Do you really understand the prescriptions you may be taking?

ETHAN executive director Carlene Womack said it isn't always about who has insurance or who can afford it; sometimes it's just about slowing down and taking the time for an evaluation.

This Saturday, Dec. 1, everyone, regardless of income, will have the opportunity to run through ETHAN's second medical camp in Jasper. Every man, woman or child who registers between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. will be thoroughly screened for a variety of things and consult with a physician before they leave.

Womack told the Jasper County commissioners about the dividends of a community-wide medical camp that is open and free to everyone without any qualifiers.

"When we can identify problems before there are symptoms, before the heart attack or the stroke or the foot infection from out-ofcontrol diabetes, we can save thousands of dollars and maybe some lives," Womack told the commissioners' court when she asked for volunteers to help (the county does not provide funding for the camp).

ETHAN is the East Texas Health Access Network, a non-profit organization serving Jasper, Newton, Sabine, San Augustine and Tyler counties. Their office is at 117 W. Houston Street, and they have many outreach programs like the mobile dental van.

For this medical camp, however, they need a much bigger facility. Community Church at 720 S. Wheeler has donated used of the sanctuary.

John Dixon of the "Over the Hill" gang is setting up screening areas and medical stations all this week.

Womack said more than 100 medical professionals from all over have volunteered. That includes doctors, radiologists, nurses, dentists and other specialists. From Jasper, optometrist Dr. Andrew James will provide eye exams, and Dr. Stephanie Baggett of Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital will help with family practice consultations.

Exams will include a needle stick to check for diabetes and cholesterol. If cholesterol comes back high, the patient will go on to the pathologist who will do a more thorough lipid profile.

Patients over 50 or with an increased risk factor will be offered screening for osteoporosis.

The dental exam includes a free fluoride treatment. Womack says that a fluoride treatment can prevent further tooth decay for several months, giving patients time to see a local dentist or make an appointment with ETHAN's mobile dental van.

For children, Womack says they will screen for scoliosis as well as vision, dental and general health.

"If they are willing to do the finger stick, we'll screen for diabetes and cholesterol," Womack said, "But we also offer a lot of fun things for them to do while their parents are being screened."

She said when parents register, the children are wristbanded and then they go to children's camp, where there are plenty of games and activities.

They can learn hygiene and check their hands under blacklight to see if they've washed bacteria away. Other games teach dental hygiene.

Police will offer fingerprinting. Daisy the milk cow (a real cow) and her keeper will explain how milk is processed.

"Parents won't have to worry while they go through the screening," Womack said. "We'll keep the little ones well entertained."

A number of medicalrelated consultants will be on hand for questions. Pharmacy technicians, for example, will go over medications a patient is taking, explain how and why it is important not to stop, and be sure people are taking their medications properly.

The public health departments will have benefits counselors on hand, so that if a patient is found to have a condition that requires treatment, they can set up a medical management program for whatever their financial situation may be.

The last stop at medical camp is a personal consultation with a physician to be sure the patient understands the results and the recommendations.

ETHAN doesn't stop there, according to Womack. "We will follow up with a letter in six weeks to be sure the patient is getting treatment, or help them if their are obstacles to getting treatment.

"The goal," Womack said, "is to identify problems early and get treatment that may prevent bigger problems."

She said at the last medical camp, almost 70 per cent of those screened had hypertension or were pre-hypertensive. A local bank president, who actually came to volunteer for the day, found out he had high blood pressure and is now on medication that may prevent "the heart attack that was headed his way."

Womack asks that people come early and bring any medications or other information such as family history that may help with screenings. The camp will register people from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

"But we will see everyone who registers. We won't quit until we're done," Womack said. She expects that will take until about 5 p.m.