Health checked for free - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Health checked for free

Posted: Updated:

  • More WALB News10 HeadlinesMore News Headlines

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:34 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:34:54 GMT
    For years, the area right across the street from the RiverQuarium has been rundown, but that's changing. A couple of businesses are thriving there. The new art park is open, and a sidewalk improvement
    For years, the area right across the street from the RiverQuarium has been rundown, but that's changing.

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:20:33 GMT
    Downtown Albany leaders are looking for ways to make sure the Flint Riverquarium remains an important part of downtown for years to come.  Tonight, The Albany Dougherty Inner City Authority board began discussions
    Downtown Albany leaders are looking for ways to make sure the Flint Riverquarium remains an important part of downtown for years to come.

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:51:07 GMT
    Ravi Mikel Givens was arrested Tuesday and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He is being held in the Dougherty County jail. Givens, who played ball at Westover and Stetson
    Agents say that police responded to the apartment because of a burglar alarm. Officers found the back door broken open and went inside. That's where they detected a strong odor of marijuana, and saw pot in plain view.
    •   

By Jay Polk - bio | email

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Sandra Ford had a good reason to go to Palmyra Medical Center Friday.

"I'm interested to see how my cholesterol is doing. And also the sugar level," said Ford.

She has one major concern with her health. "With so much diabetes today and all I thought I'd better get it checked."

She was among the more than 300 people who took advantage of a free health screening offered at the hospital. Nurses were on hand to draw blood for the cholesterol and sugar screenings and to take blood pressure readings.

And you could even get your weight checked and body mass index calculated.

Ford said, "I'm curious to see how I weigh on actual scales, not my own."

One of the nurses that we talked to noticed an increase in the number of patients this year.

According to Misty Milling, a nurse at Palmyra Medical Center: "this year, were just seeing a steady influx or folks coming in to get their blood drawn and blood pressure checked".

And with many people losing their health care, free screenings like the one today can help out.

Sandra Ford said, "people that can't afford to have a checkup, at least they'll be able to find out some things that are wrong."

For the nurses, these screenings are about more than just a routine medical procedure.

"This makes me feel good because I know I'm doing something worthwhile for the community," said Milling.

And that's something that we can all feel good about.

Feedback