LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The best way to avoid serious chronic illnesses is prevention, including early detection and the management of existing health issues, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Based on this long-standing belief, Baptist Health and Bank of America continue to invest in community wellness centers throughout central Arkansas to offer preventative services to those most in need the medically underserved, uninsured and underinsured.
Baptist Health currently operates 18 wellness centers, which offer free health education, care coordination, immunizations (at certain locations), community referrals and blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar screenings. Located in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Cabot, Bryant, Lonoke and Ward, the wellness centers receive more than 9,000 patient visits each year combined.
Local churches and community centers provide the perfect locations for offering the free services, while Baptist Health Community Outreach provides the health professionals and the care. Grants from Bank of America help purchase screening supplies, educational materials and giveaways for 10 of the centers. They include Dunbar Community Center, East Little Rock Senior Center, Liberty Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas, Centre at University Park, Stephens Community Center, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Southwest Community Center, First Presbyterian Church-Stewpot and Heaven’s Loft. A list of all 18 locations can be found at baptist-health.com.
“Access to basic health needs is important to our residents and the vitality of our community,” said Donnie Cook, Bank of America Arkansas president. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Baptist Health in making wellness a priority for our citizens thereby ensuring a healthier Arkansas.”
This marks the fifth year Bank of America has given $35,000 to support Baptist Health wellness centers.
“We couldn’t do what we do without corporate sponsors like Bank of America,” said Teresa Conner, Baptist Health Community Outreach manager. “Through their generous support we see lives changed for the better on a weekly basis.”
“Many times our patients aren’t even aware they have a serious health issue that could be life-threatening until they come to one of our wellness centers and have their blood pressure or blood sugar levels taken for the first time in many years, if ever,” Conner added. “Then we provide the resources they need to get the issue under control as well as help them maintain.”
Baptist Health’s nineteenth wellness center is tentatively scheduled to open in Conway in November.
Baptist Health is an Arkansas-based, locally owned and managed, not-for-profit, faith-based healthcare organization. It’s Arkansas’ most comprehensive healthcare system with more than 7,600 employees operating eight hospitals. For more information about the Baptist Health Wellness Centers, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST.