Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

As a way of helping those in need, employees of Christ Hospital, in Cincinnati, Ohio, will host their annual community outreach wellness clinic on July 27-28 in Harlan at the James A. Cawood Elementary School, located on Ball Park Road. The clinic is free and open to everyone in Harlan County.

“This will make my fifteenth year in Harlan,” said Hospital Chaplain Rodney Myers. “The people of Harlan County have become part of our extended family. We do this each year for those individuals who feel like there is no hope to show them that there is hope and that people do love them even when they think no one does. We love coming to Harlan to show just how much we do love and care. We encourage all churches to help with this by busing their elderly or those in need to the clinic. We have become friends with Dr. Robert Adkins, who is over Christ’s Hands in Harlan, and we’ll be providing transportation and food for those living there during the clinic. We’re all working together to get good things done because we’re all part of God’s army.”

During the clinic there will be 500 backpacks distributed at 3 p.m. on July 28. There will also be free physicals, eye exams and glasses, sugar and diabetes checks, hygiene awareness and free personal and oral hygiene products, breast cancer awareness, free dentist exams, treatment and cleanings, free podiatrist exams, free medical equipment including inhalers, wheelchairs and walkers, kids and adult clothing, shoes and free haircuts each day. There will also be free snow cones, popcorn, inflatable slide, kids games and prizes, free hamburgers, hot dogs and cold water each day.

“Our cardiology team will be directed by Dr. Wojciech Mazur, who is one of the top cardio doctors in the nation,” said Myers. “He and his team will be doing heart echos. Anyone with heart or vascular problems needs to come out for this clinic. Our pulmonary team will be preforming tests and exams to measure lung strength and capacity. With a lot of miners living in the area, we felt this is a much needed service. Both these exams very expensive tests if you had to pay for them. We are providing them free of charge.”

Added this year will be school physicals. Myers said if you have your forms you need to bring them with you to the clinic. If not, they will have forms on hand provided by JACES Principal James Clem. Also added this year will be the distribution of 35,000 pre-dyed meals. Myers said the meals are nutritious, full of vitamins, and can be used during the winter months when garden food is not available.

“We have two new bicycles to be given away this year, one boy, one girl,” said Myers. “The winning ticket must register to win and be present on Saturday. We’ll have bluegrass gospel music each day provided by Emmitt Campbell, of Jackson. We’re just so exited about this year’s event and hope everyone will plan to attend.”

Myers said his team has now begun bringing a “truckload of food” each month to Christ’s Hands. He ask that all pastors across the county contact him by phone to let him know the needs of their church or area so that plans can be made to provide those items and that they attend the clinic to set up a future meeting. He said pastors may contact him at (513) 716-8479.

“If you know someone who doesn’t have a way of getting to this clinic, let us know or try to arrange for a ride for them,” said Myers. “You’ll be blessed if you help.”

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublciations.com