OHI Provides Free Screenings for Nat’l Rural Health Day in Plumsted
Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI), a federally qualified health center (FQHC) with locations in Lakewood, Toms River, and Manahawkin is partnering with Horizon NJ Health to participate in National
Rural Health Day, November 17, 2011. OHI will bringing its Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) to the Plumsted Municipal Building parking lot, 121 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, N.J. 08533 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to conduct free family dental screenings, and cholesterol and glucose screenings.
In addition, Horizon NJ Health representatives will provide assistance to families applying for the NJ FamilyCare Advantage, an affordable health care program for children without health insurance whose families do not qualify for NJ Family Care.
Dr. Theresa Berger, CEO of OHI, says, “Since 2007, OHI’s MMU has truly changed the delivery of convenient, cutting-edge quality health care in Ocean County. Health care accessibility has been an ongoing issue in the many rural areas of Ocean County. Our Mobile Medical Unit, however, provides a solution for those facing financial challenges in commuting costs and those with limited access to transportation.”
Because rural communities face accessibility issues, a lack of healthcare providers, an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and growing percentages of underinsured citizens and other unique challenges, The National Organization of State Offices of Rural (NOSORH) annually sets aside the third Thursday of every November – November 17 in 2011 – to celebrate National Rural Health Day.
Setting aside a day to recognize rural health also provides an opportunity to bring to light the unique healthcare challenges that rural citizens face – and showcase the efforts of rural health care providers, State Offices of Rural Health and other rural stakeholders to address those challenges, such as the struggle rural hospitals face with declining reimbursement rates and disproportionate funding levels that
make it challenging to serve residents.
About Ocean Health Initiatives: OHI, a federally qualified health center (FQHC), with locations at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; and 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; and 333 Haywood Road Manahawkin, provides comprehensive preventative and primary care, including pediatrics, maternal and child health, prenatal, WIC, universal immunizations, and dental health to the area’s uninsured, underinsured, and undocumented residents on a sliding-fee scale, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay. OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call a representative in the Call Center at either 732-552-0377, Toms River, or 732-363-6655, Lakewood. Visit www.ohinj.org. for further information.