The nation’s largest Health Care Outreach Move Mountains Medical Clinic: M7, returns to Wise County for its 26th Year on July 18th and 19th
MARY ELLEN MILLER | THE HEALTH WAGON
(WISE) - In 1999, Stan Brock, Dr. Teresa Tyson, DNP and Sister Bernie Kenny identified the need for medical, dental and vision services for medically underserved patients in Southwest Virginia.
Since that time, thousands of volunteers have provided care to tens of thousands of patients in the region while The Health Wagon has built a strong infrastructure and capacity around eye, dental and medical resources evolving into a longstanding tradition for the community.
On the weekend of July 18th and 19th from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the lifesaving clinic continues its mission as The Move Mountains Medical Clinic: The Health Wagon’s M7 event will return for its 26th year to Wise County for a FREE health care expo at The Health Wagon Facilities at 5626 Patriot Drive, Wise, Va.
Thousands of volunteers have provided care to tens of thousands of patients in the region while The Health Wagon has built a strong infrastructure and capacity around eye, dental and medical resources.
The Health Wagon, including a team of dedicated general and medical volunteers, multiple partners including universities from across the region and country, work together to provide dental, medical, and specialty care to the uninsured, underinsured, unemployed, working poor, and others who cannot afford to pay. All services are FREE of charge.
No pets allowed at The Health Wagon facility (service animals only). This is a tobacco free event.
Registration opens on Friday morning at 7:00AM and again on Saturday morning 7:00 AM. No overnight parking will be permitted. Patients will be served on a first come, first serve basis. Optional pre-registration begins July 18th at noon.
Pre-registration is strongly recommended to cut down on wait time for medical services. Appointments are available for all specialty vision and medical services.
The event will provide services over two days including Adult and Pediatric medical care as health care professionals will be available to provide comprehensive physical examinations.
There are several diagnostic services available if medically indicated such as ultrasounds and x-rays. Blood work will be available to check many routine lab results such as cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid, etc.
Additional labs may be performed if medically indicated. Patients are encouraged not to eat or drink after midnight (except water and black coffee). If having blood work performed, continue to take your regularly scheduled medications. Fast track medical passes may be available for those who need to see a particular specialist for a certain test or individuals with a disability.
List of Services:
Specialist Exams
EKGs
Diabetes Screening/Foot Care
Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)
Bone Density Tests
Blood Work, Cholesterol, and Blood Sugar
Breathing Tests
Chest X-Rays
Pap Smears
Mammograms
Colposcopy
Skin/Biopsies
Cancer Screenings
Oral cancer Screenings
Joint Injections
Echocardiograms (appointment required)
Ultrasounds (appointment required)
Substance Use Disorder Counseling
Pastoral Care
Mental Health
Hearing Screenings/Hearing Aid Assistance
Orthopedic/Joint Injections
Walk Through Super Colon
Sports Physicals
Colon Cancer Screening/FIT Test
Dental Services: The Owens-Hill Dental Clinic will be open for routine dental procedures by appointment only: Cleanings, fillings, extractions and oral cancer screenings. Services will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information on dental, call 276-221-6055.
Vision Services: Vision services will be provided and will include eye exams, glaucoma testing, diabetes retinopathy screenings and prescription glasses. Ocular screenings will only take place on July 17th. Glasses will be made and ready for pickup on-site or a voucher to a local provider will be given to the patient. Vision Appointments are required, please call 276-328-8850 to schedule.
Women can receive pap smears and clinical breast exams as a part of Women’s Health Services. Mammograms will be offered by Ballad Health. Appointments are recommended. Please call 276-328-8850 to schedule.
Hearing Exams and Hearing Aid Assistance: Individuals who are having difficulty hearing or just want their hearing evaluated are encouraged to attend. Comprehensive hearing exams will be available from ETSU Audiology with help from the Lions Club. ETSU Audiology will assist patients requiring hearing aid(s).
A small cost may be associated but there may be some assistance for those in need as well. The Lions Club will be providing this valuable service.
The Health Wagon’s Medical Director and pulmonologist, Dr. Joseph Smiddy, MD will hold a lung clinic. Pulmonary functioning testing will be provided. Individuals who experience shortness of breath are encouraged to come for additional evaluation. Chest X-rays will also be offered. Individualized assistance and support for quitting smoking and expert asthma management will be provided.
Medication and Insurance Assistance: St. Mary’s Faith Pharmacy will have a pharmacist onsite to assist patients with prescription medications and medication review (please bring your medications).
Positively no prescriptions from outside will be filled at St. Mary’s Pharmacy.
No narcotics will be stocked. Individuals are advised to continue to take regularly prescribed medications.
If there is a question about a procedure and a particular medication such as coumadin, aspirin, or any other medication, please contact your primary care provider before the event.
Pharmacy Connect will also be available. This program assists qualifying patients in obtaining free prescription drugs through participating pharmaceutical companies.
Medicaid enrollment will be provided to qualifying individuals. Anyone interested in enrolling should bring proof of income as well as the names and SSNs of all household members.
Veterinary Clinic: A separate, veterinary clinic will be held at the Shelcy Mullins Fairgrounds July 18 and 19. Call 276-328-8850 to schedule an appointment. Wellness exams and limited examinations and medications along with limited pet supplies will be provided.
Educational, Social and Spiritual Services: Informational booths and services will be available for subjects such as cancer, mental health, diabetes, exercise, nutrition, and other health topics as well as career services, GED services, legal services, and financial counseling with free credit reports.
Feeding SWVA will be onsite providing food boxes to those in attendance. Pastoral support will be onsite as well. A walk thru Super Colon will be featured and educates on the importance of colon cancer screening.
The health fair expo has been made possible through widespread community support and involvement of many health care providers and lay individuals. Door prizes and giveaways will also be offered.
For Transportation on Friday, July 18:
MEOC’s MetGO!: 1-888-877-6748 or 276-523-7433
or download the app for MetGo!Four County Transit: 1-888-656-2272 or 276-963-1486.
Two weeks advance notice is appreciated if using Four County Transit.
If any organization would like to participate, please call The Health Wagon to register. For questions or additional information contact the Health Wagon at (276) 328-8850, the Health Wagon on Facebook which is updated daily, or visit our website at www.thehealthwagon.org.
To register or volunteer for medical or register as a vendor, email contactus@thehealthwagon.org or call 276-328-8850.
About the Health Wagon
The Health Wagon is a nurse practitioner managed clinic that has been in existence since 1980 which provides free medical, dental and vision health care services in Lee, Scott, Wise, Dickenson, Buchanan, Washington and Russell Counties and Norton City. For more information about The Health Wagon, please call 276-328-8850 or visit www.thehealthwagon.org. If you would like to donate to the Health Wagon, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, please visit: www.thehealthwagon.org/donate.
