Ascension to Bring Medical Mission at Home to Stevens Point on Sept. 15
For the City Times
STEVENS POINT — Ascension is preparing for its first Medical Mission at Home in Wisconsin.
The Medical Mission at Home provides real time delivery of organized health and social services to those who would not have access to care.
The Stevens Point Medical Mission at Home will be held on Saturday, September 15, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital and Ascension Medical Group in Stevens Point, located at 900 Illinois Avenue.
This free community health event will give low-income and uninsured populations access to needed health services, including medical evaluations, basic laboratory testing, medical imaging (x-ray, mammography, ultrasound and echocardiogram), adult urgent dental care, pharmacy/medications and spiritual services.
“Our Medical Mission at Home is a demonstration of our mission in action to improve the health of individuals and communities, especially those most vulnerable,” said Crystal Kirschling, Chief Administrative officer and Vice President of Patient Care at Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital
Patient navigators will guide participants throughout the entire process. All services are free and no insurance is needed. Services will be provided on a first-come, first served basis until the end of the mission day. Interpreter services will be available.
Approximately 300 volunteers from Ascension facilities throughout the state, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists, chaplains, senior leaders and other hospital staff, will participate.
Ascension and its Medical Mission partners have developed referral plans for participants needing care beyond the event. In addition, various community agencies will be on hand with information and services available in Stevens Point and Portage County.
“Many of our facilities have a long history of providing free or reduced care and health screening events in our communities across the state,” added Kirschling. “This event expands on that foundation and we are delighted to include our community partners who join us in this effort to provide access to those who would not have access to care or need assistance in obtaining necessary services in our community.”
Community based services that will have information and staff available include Active Portage County; Aging and Disability Resource Center of Portage County; Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Wisconsin; CAP Services, Energy Services of Portage County; Opportunity Development Center; Portage County Literacy Council; Safe Kids Portage County; Salvation Army Hope Center; Wisconsin Judicare and Stevens Point Area YMCA. Other resource agencies will have informational materials available.
Each participant will also receive a bag of non-perishable food items courtesy of Trig’s in Stevens Point.
The Medical Mission at Home is part of a national effort by Ascension and its caregivers to host similar events across the country. To date, Medical Mission at Home events have been held in Tennessee, Washington D.C., New York, Alabama, Florida, Connecticut, Indiana, Texas and Kansas, and plans to expand to other markets to meet individual and community health needs.
To learn more, visit medicalmissionathome.org.