DSHS and Local Health Department Bring Free Medical Care to East Texas

News Release
June 7, 2013

The Texas Department of State Health Services is joining with local partners to bring free medical care to uninsured residents of East Texas next week. DSHS and the Northeast Texas Public Health District are supporting the East Texas Medical Outreach, an effort to provide a variety of preventive care and connect people in rural areas to ongoing medical care.

The outreach will take place June 11-13 at Van Junior High School at 630 S. Oak Street in Van. Registration is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Services include physical exams, vision and hearing tests, immunizations (please bring immunization records), mammography, and screenings for blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and body mass index.

“People in rural areas generally have more limited access to health care,” said Dr. Paul McGaha, DSHS regional medical director in Tyler. “We want to offer the health services people need now, but we also want to help people connect with regular health care providers so they can continue to improve their overall health.”

The program seeks to promote fitness by educating participants about eating healthy foods, being physically active, avoiding tobacco, and other health topics. It also gives public health emergency responders an opportunity to practice providing care to large numbers of people.

Other participating organizations include the University of Texas at Tyler School of Nursing and Health Sciences, UT Health Northeast Family Medical Residency Program, Texas Military Forces, the Piney Woods Regional Advisory Council and Van Independent School District.

People can call 1-877-340-8842 for more information.

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(News Media Contact: Chris Van Deusen, DSHS Assistant Press Officer, 512-776-7753)

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