Frederick County, Maryland – The Frederick Memorial Hospital (FMH) will support a free health care fair on October 18.
Free Health Care Event
The Frederick County instigated the free health fairseven years ago, providing checkups and immunizations. Anyone can attend this year’s event, said Christine Sheridan, the Asian American Center (AAC) project manager. The center will sponsor the said event. People who need urgent care will have access to several health services such as immunizations, lifesaving medical tests, and prescriptions. Moreover, the AAC will raise funds between $50,000 and $60,000 in preparation for the event.
FMH as Major Donor
The FMH will serve as a major donor in this year’s free health care event. Sheridan said that twice the number of last year’s participants will be able to get health services on October. This is because the FMH will donate the necessary materials as well as hire more doctors for the event. Vaccines, medical tests, and other supplies took a significant portion of last year’s budget. However, the hospital will donate this year’s major supply such as 800 glucose tests and cholesterol tests, plus 800 doses of flu vaccine. Such supplies cannot be accessed from urgent care clinics easily.
Collective Efforts
The FMH Medical Affairs assistant vice president Dr. Rachel Mandel said that this year’s free health care fair will also be participated by volunteer doctors from the Monocacy Health Partners of FMH. Sheridan emphasized that the involvement of other institutions will be a huge help for this year’s fair. Mandel added that the FMH considered the AAC as a primary connection in reaching a bigger population to provide health benefits and preventive care. The collaboration will likewise increase the hospital’s communal presence as a provider of hospital care and urgent care near me facilities. The collaboration of FMH and AAC is geared towards a similar goal, Mandel said. Some representatives of the Maryland Health Connection will also participate primarily in helping people understand their insurance options.
Elimination of Expensive Medical Care
The main goal of the yearly health care fair is simply to eliminate expensive medical care and to keep people healthier, Mandel said. The AAC report indicated last year’s data, including 850 attendants, 35 doctors, and 130 volunteers. Health screenings were also performed. Also, 475 flu vaccinations, 70 Hepatitis B vaccines, and 130 Hepatitis B tests were conducted. These services could be very costly from regular health facilities or any urgent care clinic. However, the AAC will shoulder all necessities again this year. The upcoming free health care fair will be bigger, but easier with the combined efforts of AAC, FMH, and other partnerships.
