The city of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, recently celebrated National Health Center Week with a series of events aimed at promoting accessible healthcare and wellness in the community. The festivities culminated in a Senior Wellness Day dedicated to eye care highlighting the importance of regular eye exams for seniors.
National Health Center Week, observed from August 3-9, recognizes the crucial role that community health centers play in providing affordable healthcare to underserved populations. This year’s celebration in Hattiesburg featured various initiatives, including free health screenings and educational sessions.
Eye care takes center stage at Senior Wellness Day
The Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative (SEMRHI) organized a Senior Wellness Day on August 8 at the Forrest County Campus of Pearl River Community College. This monthly event offers free health screenings and educational activities tailored to the senior community. The August edition focused on eye health with optometrist Ann Williams as the featured speaker.
Williams emphasized the importance of regular eye exams stating, “Even if you think you’re okay, you still need an eye exam.” She explained that eye exams can help identify diseases early, assess driving and mobility skills, and check for medication side effects. This proactive approach to eye care is crucial for maintaining
Community partnerships and accessible healthcare
Throughout the week, Hattiesburg and SEMRHI collaborated to raise awareness about the importance of accessible healthcare. On August 5, Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker joined SEMRHI administrators for a meet-and-greet event at the Family Health Center on Old Airport Road. During the event, Barker issued a proclamation recognizing National Health Center Week.
The mayor encouraged residents to take advantage of the free health screenings offered during the week, stating, “There’s no reason not to go ahead and know what your numbers are. It’s a very important thing as you try to continue living a healthy life.” The screenings included BMI measurements, blood pressure checks, and HIV screenings, among others.
SEMRHI’s CEO, Janice Robinson, highlighted the organization’s commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community. “We would definitely love to have the community come out and share in that,” Robinson said, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in promoting health and wellness.
The impact of community health centers
Community health centers like SEMRHI play a vital role in improving health outcomes and strengthening communities. These centers provide a wide range of services, including family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health, dental care, and pharmacy services. As Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), they are committed to ensuring that every patient has access to care, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
Over the past year, SEMRHI has expanded its reach by opening new locations, welcoming additional providers, and strengthening partnerships throughout the communities it serves. These efforts have helped to improve access to healthcare for thousands of residents in Southeast Mississippi.
National Health Center Week has been celebrated for over 40 years, recognizing the nation’s community health centers and the millions of patients they serve each year. Today, these centers care for more than 32 million Americans, helping to improve health outcomes while reducing barriers to care.
As Hattiesburg continues to prioritize health and wellness, initiatives like Senior Wellness Day and National Health Center Week serve as important reminders of the value of accessible healthcare and preventive care. By focusing on eye health and other critical aspects of senior wellness, the community is taking proactive steps to ensure a healthier future for all residents.
