‘Celebrate Women,’ annual event supporting women’s health, to be held on Sept. 5; event offers free health screenings and education
Ballad Health Cancer Care at Johnston Memorial Hospital is hosting Celebrate Women, its free event that offers health screenings and increases awareness and support of women’s health, on Thursday, Sept. 5, from 4-7 p.m. at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia.
The Ballad Health Mobile Health Coach will be onsite during the event to offer comprehensive services, including pap smears, contraceptives, STD testing, point-of-care testing and connections to primary and specialty care. Insurance and identification are not required for mobile health coach services, and while appointments are not required, they can be made by calling 423-915-5200.
“We know that most women are very busy taking care of others. Our hope is that, by providing an opportunity for women to focus on themselves and helping raise their awareness about important health issues, we can empower women to prioritize and navigate their own healthcare. Early detection is a key factor in better outcomes, and there is support for those affected,” said Shari Rajoo, MD, vice president and chief medical officer for Ballad Health Population Health Services. “Through events like Celebrate Women, we can increase knowledge about women’s health, share testimonials of survivors and encourage more women to get screened.”
Celebrate Women will also feature vendor booths, education and presentations by several members of the medical staff and clinical teams at Johnston Memorial. Free giveaways will be handed out to attendees, and two grand prizes, a Michael Kors tote bag and a Kate Spade crossbody bag, will be given away.
“Celebrate Women is a great opportunity to bring together women in our community to provide education, and to have health and wellness screenings that help women identify disease processes earlier so they can live an overall healthier life,” said Paula Fore, senior director of the Ballad Health Cancer Center.
“We are bringing together many of Ballad Health’s medical practices and services to showcase how we provide an integrated healthcare experience for women of all ages in our region.”
A recent survey conducted by Hologic, Inc., a women’s health innovator, and Gallup found that while most women across the United States understand the significance of regular screenings, 43% of the 4,001 women surveyed said they have missed or postponed them. Women are most likely to have skipped screenings for breast (41%), cervical (35%) and colorectal (33%) cancers.
In addition to Ballad Health Cancer Care, the event will feature oncology navigators, cardiology navigators, nurse practitioner coaches, dietitians and experts from kidney care, pulmonology, neurology and the Ballad Health CVA Heart Institute. Representatives from Ballad Health Medical Associates, Ballad Health Centers for Early Learning, Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center and Project ABC will also be in attendance.
