Sparrow Ionia Hospital

479 Lafayette St. Ionia, Michigan  48846

1-616-523-1400   or    1-800-237-2572

"Serving Ionia County for over 65 Years"

April 28. 2009

WOMEN’S CHECK UP DAY

MONDAY, MAY 11, 2009

One of the most important steps a woman can take for better health is to get regular

check-ups and ask her health care provider about screenings for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases.

In honor of  National Women's Check-Up Day, health care providers across America will recognize this day by offering preventive health screenings and other services.

Ionia County Memorial Hospital and the Tony Balice Clinics/Family Health Center are proud to be sponsoring this year’s annual National Women's Check-Up Day.  This event is a nationwide effort, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to encourage women to visit health care professionals to receive regular, preventive check-ups and screenings.

The free or low cost event will take place at the Tony Balice Clinics/Family Health Center, at 550 E. Washington St, 1st Floor, (building east of hospital), on Monday, May 11th.  From 8:00 am to 4:00 pm., women will have the opportunity to have their blood pressure checked at no charge and have their cholesterol/lipid/glucose checked for a small fee of $5.00.  Please be sure to fast for at least 12 hours before having your blood drawn.  Vouchers will be available for blood to be drawn at Ionia County Memorial Hospital Laboratory for those that have not fasted.

Walk-in's are welcome from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, and again from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  No appointments are necessary for these times.  This year you may schedule an appointments between 11:00 am to 2:00 pm by calling the office at 616-522-0714.  Also this year, Ionia County Community Mental Health, will be offering Depression screening at no cost from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.  No Appointments are necessary.

Our female healthcare professionals, Lynn Toaz, DO, Angie Beckhold, Physicians Assistant, and Molly Craven, DO, our new physician in Portland, will be providing pelvic and clinical breast exams at no charge.  A Pap Smear (Test) will also be provided at a reduced fee of approx. $40 . (This will be billed to you and some insurance may cover this). 

Healthy refreshments will be provided by Ionia County Memorial Hospital and Cabot Cheese.  A variety of health information will also be available. 

Again no appointments are necessary between 8:00 am and 11:00 am and 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Appointments are available between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm.

The purpose of the annual Women’s Check Up Day is to emphasize the importance of getting regular check-ups and asking a healthcare provider about screenings for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Maintaining regular check-ups is one of five health habits that can contribute to the betterment of women's health along with exercise, a healthy diet, not smoking, and following general safety rules. Screening tests, such as mammograms and Pap smears, can find diseases early, when they are easier to treat.

Do something good for yourself!  Stop by at the Tony Balice Clinic/Family Health Center, 550 E. Washington St., Ionia (next to the hospital) on Monday, May 11th.   To schedule an appointment, please call the Tony Balice Clinics/Family Health Center at 1-616-522-0714 or for other questions, contact, Laurie Tjalsma, Community Relation for ICMH, 616-527-4200, ext. 240.

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