MANSFIELD, Ohio — Third Street Family Health Services will work with a local church to provide greater access to healthcare. Starting Thursday, March 28, visitors to Grace Episcopal Church’s food bank can receive free screenings.
Third Street, a network of community health centers headquartered in Mansfield, will screen for HIV, hepatitis C, blood pressure, and substance use disorder. The rapid testing will be available every fourth Thursday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m.
These screenings can detect conditions that are commonly linked to chronic diseases, such as hypertension and liver disease. When these conditions are detected early, preventive measures and medical care can be initiated early to prevent disease complications.
Members of Third Street’s healthcare team will be available to provide information and advise on follow-up care. Third Street’s Five Points Primary Care campus is next door to the church. Same-day medical appointments will be available at the campus for screening participants. Insurance enrollment or sliding fees may be needed for further medical appointments.
The Third Street team will also assist with Medicaid enrollments. Eligible applicants may be provided with same-day coverage. Presumptive eligibility will be granted after completing full applications.
Increasing access
For 30 years, Third Street has been committed to improving healthcare access for the underserved. The monthly screenings are also hoped to be a quick convenience for food pantry users and other visitors who may not have health insurance or regular access to a care provider.
“When people are experiencing difficulties or stress in their home life, they may forget to take care of themselves or may not have financial resources to devote to their health,” said Dr. Chris Yohn, Third Street physician. “We are offering free screenings and education to support individuals in taking charge of their health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.”
According to Grace Episcopal, the church has operated the food pantry since 2001 and regularly provides meals for an average of 500 families per week. The purpose of partnering with the food pantry is to meet people where they are to provide screenings they may not normally receive, according to Meri McCann, a disease intervention specialist at Third Street.
“We are right here in their community and we care about them,” McCann said. “We have medical professionals who will treat them with the dignity they deserve.”
Grace Episcopal Church is located at 41 Bowman St, Mansfield, OH 44903. The food pantry is on the church’s first floor. The health testing will be confidential and held in a private room at the church’s Third and Bowman Streets entrance.
“Waiting until you “feel sick” is risky. The earlier a condition is detected, the more options you have,” Yohn said. “We just want to ensure everyone in our community has as many options as possible.
For more information, call Third Street Family Health Services at 419-522-6191. ### About Third Street Family Health Services Third Street Family Health Services was founded in 1994. We are a network of non-profit community health centers that focuses on improving the health of the greater community and removing barriers to wellness. Our mission is to deliver comprehensive health and wellness care that is accessible to all. We provide behavioral health, community health worker, dental, medical, medication-assisted treatment, OB/GYN, pediatric, pharmacy, podiatry, and specialty care services across 11 locations in northcentral Ohio. For more information, go to www.thirdstreetfamily.org.