Several hundred receive screenings at Kinston's community clinic

A weeklong campaign — raising awareness about Kinston Health Center’s — ends with a celebration Saturday at the center’s annual Community Health Fair.

The event, which took place both inside and out of the center’s Queen Street clinic, provided both fun activities and medical screenings to a wide-range of community members.

Carla Pellerin, the center’s CEO, said the event was part of a larger national campaign to underscore how health centers deliver a unique approach that targets health needs and saves taxpayer dollars.

“This has turned out wonderful,” Pellerin said of Saturday’s event. “We want to draw the community’s attention to the important role that federally funded health centers play in the total landscape of healthcare delivery.”

The week’s theme has been serving locally and leading nationally. Saturday’s event blood pressure checks, diabetic foot exams, bone density screenings and free HIV screenings were offered at the clinic. There was also free food and games — as well as, local entertainment.

Brennan Chiles, 9, said he came to the event with his mom. He spent most of the day visiting several tents with his friends and older sister.

“I hope I get to go drive the golf cart,” he said, referring to the N.C. Highway Patrol’s impaired driving simulation. “We came so that we are ready to go back to school.”

Along with the check ups, book bags — filled with school supplies — were handed out to several students attending the fair. Lenoir County Schools Public Information Coordinator Lidia Guzman said the clinic had prepared around 76 book bags to be handed out during the health fair.

Kinston Community Health Center serves over 10,000 residents with chronic conditions, including children and adults who are receiving medical and dental care at the center — this total include insured and uninsured patients.

“Ever day in our waiting rooms I witness the value of having a health care home,” Pellerin said. “When people have a place to go for regular care, they use it and stay healthier. We provide a range of service onsite-primary care services, dentistry, medication assistance and other enabling services such as transportation.

The family practice and dental clinic is opened Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 a.m. Monday and Friday the clinic closes at 6 p.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. The OB-GYN is opened Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call the center at 252-522-9800.

 Justin Hill can be reached at 252-559-1078 or jhill@freedomenc.com. Follow him on Twitter @mjhill.

Breakout: How can I get help?

Kinston Community Health Center

324 N. Queen St.

n Medical: 252-522-9800

n Dental: 252-522-9202

n OB-GYN 252-208-1485

n Pediatrics: 252-527-5423

n Health Check Coordinator

Judy King

252-939-1799 ext. 228

n Community Outreach Department

Anna Kinsey

252-522-9800 ext. 252

n 340b Program Assistant

Yennyfer Canterero

252-522-9800 ext. 210

n Prescription Assistance Coordinator

Jalisa Lewis

252-522-9485 ext. 224

n RN Case Managers (Community Care Plan of Eastern Carolina)

Shelia Speight,

252-522-9485 ext. 239

Carrie Brinson

252-522-9485 ext. 240