Alltel Terrace suite provided the perfectly relaxed atmosphere which was a critical component of this event. We respect the fact that clergy are very busy. So it was important to introduce enough information to raise awareness without overwhelming them. Everything was top notch, from beginning to end, from the health screening, to the sumptuous gourmet meal.

Shands Jacksonville is committed to improving the health of the community. Bringing ministers and pastors together is one way to reach segments of communities with high rates of hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, cancer and other health problems. Shands Jacksonville Community Affairs staff conducted free health screening for the local pastors. Primary Care physicians, Wayne Wells and Kenyatta Lee spoke to the group about the state of Duval County communities, especially those communities with high incidence of health disparities like prostate and breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, low immunization rates, infant mortality and diabetes.

“Our command is to heal thy people,” said Means as she explained how the project name came about. “It’s right there in healthy people…Heal Thy People. Our mission is to create healthier communities.” Engaging the faith-based leaders and their congregations to help with this mission is very appropriate and timely. Known for its community health fairs and outreach activities, the Community Affairs Department realigned the health fair structure to enhance long-term partnerships between Shands Jacksonville and the community, especially to individuals without a health care provider. Currently, plans are underway to host quarterly health fairs with partnering churches and other organizations, beginning October 2005.

One of the first priorities is to reach insured, uninsured, and underinsured faith leaders, to become the role model for healthy congregations. The new outreach will improve our health awareness efforts, since churches are filled with people from diverse neighborhoods. The goal is to make health care accessible to people that use the emergency department for their primary care. Education and awareness are the keys to accomplishing that goal.

“Grandchildren should know their grandparents,” was the message delivered by B. Waine Kong, Ph.D., J.D., is CEO of the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. out of Atlanta, Georgia. Grand parents are dying too early from health related problems, some of which can be avoided by making simple lifestyle changes, like exercising, eating healthier and going to church. Going to church? In his speech Dr. Kong suggested that spiritual people tend to do better health wise. “One of the questions frequently asked by some health care providers is do you attend church on a regular basis?” According to Dr. Kong, there is a clear connection between the two. A big amen rang throughout the audience from participating clergy.

Shands Jacksonville also displayed the new community health van funded by the DuBow Family Foundation, the Weaver Family Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida. The van is an asset to our commitment to serve underserved communities. It will go into neighborhoods where transportation is a barrier to health care.

Where do we go from here? Zelma Dickerson, registered nurse and local pastor encouraged the participants to review the materials, and consider becoming a partner with Shands Jacksonville Community Affairs. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for July 25th at Shands Jacksonville. For more information call (904) 244-9305.