By Allison Peck
Listen to the full interview on our Kubota Podcast
People's Health and the West Central District Health Department are teaming up to help North Platte residents connect with health care and other community resources during an upcoming Community Health and Wellness Event.
The event will be held Tuesday, September 22, from 6 to 8 a.m. and again from 5 to 7 p.m. at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 305 West Fifth Street in North Platte.
Elizabeth Thayer with People's Health and Betsy Jurgensen with the West Central District Health Department say the event is designed primarily for adults who may not have a primary care provider, are uninsured or underinsured, or aren't sure what health resources are available to them.
The event is not intended to be a one-stop medical clinic. Instead, organizers want to help people understand what preventive care they may need and connect them with the appropriate providers and resources.
Representatives from Great Plains Health, Platte Valley Women's Healthcare, Dr. Debs, Nebraska Total Care, Molina and other organizations will be involved. Great Plains Health will have the ability to help people get connected with primary care providers and potentially schedule appointments the same day.
The West Central District Health Department will also have vaccines available at no cost for adults who are uninsured or underinsured.
Organizers will provide information about recommended cancer screenings, BMI and other preventive health measures, along with free STD testing and FIT tests for those who qualify.
The event will also offer information about insurance and help people determine what benefits and resources may be available to them.
Thayer said the morning and evening hours were selected with local workers in mind, particularly those working long shifts.
"We were hoping the 6 to 8 a.m. time to grab them before they go into work or 5 to 7 right after they're done with work," Thayer said.
Attendees can also expect coffee, snacks, raffles and other activities while visiting the resource fair.
Organizers encourage anyone with questions about vaccines, preventive screenings, insurance or finding a primary care provider to stop by.