“Shore to Shore” Health Screenings Event in Rock Hall Attracts Watermen, Marine Industry Workers
UM Shore Medical Center’s Rural Health Care Transformation Director Lara Wilson, was on hand to greet screening participants with Gladys Peeples and Community Health Advocate Serenity Kelly.
"Shore to Shore: Free Health Screenings for Marine Industry Workers" attracted strong participation from watermen, boat builders and other marine industry employees from the Kent County region.
The March 16th event at the American Legion in Rock Hall was a collaborative effort of University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown's Rural Health Care Transformation and Community Outreach teams, Choptank Community Health Services, the Kent County Health Department and the Rock Hall Lions Club. Multiple health screenings (blood pressure, hearing, skin cancer and diabetes) were offered and health education materials and resources were provided.
"The Shore to Shore event was a great success. We are thrilled to have provided free health screenings to 41 watermen and marine industry workers," said Lara Wilson, Director of Rural Health Care Transformation for UM Shore Regional Health. "I was warmed to hear the great feedback from several participants about how much this event meant to them – the fact that health care professionals would come out to Rock Hall to make sure they could access these important health care screenings close to home and work."
Screenings were made possible by a health disparities grant from the Kent County Health Department, and were provided by Choptank Community Health System providers and members of Shore Community Outreach Team (formerly the Mobile Wellness Team). Lions Club members provided information about obtaining eyeglasses, and the Kent County Health Department supplied health information materials.
"We are so grateful to these community partners who collaborated with us to make this unique event possible," said Wilson. "The strong turnout and enthusiasm of the local marine industry and watermen community makes this a great example of effective rural health care delivery – meeting people where they are to improve their access to health care services and identify possible issues that can be addressed before they become so serious that emergency care or hospitalization is required."
"Choptank Health is always exploring partnerships to expand our services and support healthy communities," said Choptank Health CEO Sara Rich. "Working together with the Kent County Health Department, Shore Community Outreach Team and the Lions Club demonstrates what we can do when we come together, and this collaboration aligns with our mission of providing access to health care for all."