SCHC to take on dental wellness wagon on July 16
From our weekly issue dated July 08, 2009
It’s something to get your teeth into.
On Thursday, July 16, Pathways to Care Network (PCN), in partnership with Siskiyou Community Health Center (SCHC) will hold a celebration at SCHC, on the corner of Seventh Street and Manzanita Avenue in Grants Pass at 10 a.m., to transfer ownership of the Wellness on Wheels (WOW) motor home.
In 2004, a merchant donated a 32-foot motor home to PCN and challenged the community to match half the purchase value. The dream was to turn the motor home into a mobile health-care unit to serve rural communities of Josephine County. The Four Way Community Foundation awarded a grant of $10,000, and the Grants Pass chapter of Zonta donated another $10,000.
The Rotary Club of Grants Pass, Gates Home Furnishings, the Music Shop, Logan Design, and various local organizations helped to make that dream come true.
Since that time the WOW has been used by American Medical Response and the Active Club at Boatnik. The WOW has been leased for blood pressures clinics, flu shot clinics, breast screening, and many educational programs.
SCHC has developed a preventative dental care outreach program that has been going into schools in Josephine County for three years. It has been leasing the WOW several times a week.
Aubra Johnson, former Dental Clinic manager, developed the program and wrote grants to place more than $50,000 worth of equipment, including a portable X-ray and dental chair.
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Ronald McDonald House, Grants Pass Rotary and the Oregon Dental Foundation were among the grantors. SCHC is planning to expand its outreach program into medical as well as dental outreach.
Since 1997 PCN has been a not-for-profit coalition of health-care providers in Josephine County. The mission statement of PCN is to help break down barriers to health care for the under-insured and uninsured.
Kelly Wessels, chairman of PCN and executive director of Retired Volunteer Senior Program, states, “PCN is pleased to make this donation to SCHC. We are confident the mission of PCN will continue to be fulfilled.”
Judi Hill, vice chairman of PCN states, “PCN appreciates the entire community for all its support. The WOW would not have been possible without the $70,000 in money and donation PCN was able to raise.”
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