ARCH program to hold free health screenings in Pee Dee

By: SCNow Staff | SCNow
Published: June 05, 2008

Francis Marion University’s Advancing Rural Community Health (ARCH) program announced they will hold free public health screenings in the Pee Dee.

The first event will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday at Williamsburg County School District Annex, 500 N. Academy St. in Kingstree. The second screening will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. June 13 at Apostolic Faith Tabernacle, 500 W. Marion St. in Florence.

Dr. Paul DeMarco, the staff physician in charge of the program, said the program began roughly a year ago after he spent a semester traveling through Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties.

“I went to (a variety of) doctor’s offices and told them about this new program, which would involve having students in their midst,” he said. “Almost everyone I talked to was excited about the idea.”

DeMarco said the about 50 students who are part of the program are paid a stipend through the Kassab Service Fellowship program.

The students travel throughout Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties to offer assistance to medical offices by taking blood pressure, checking blood sugar levels, confirming height and weight data, and running a panel of labwork that tests liver function, cholesterol levels, screens for prostate cancer and checks diabetic status in patients with potential for the disease.

DeMarco said the program often has a profound effect on the students participating in it, leading them to develop an increased awareness of the health challenges facing people living in a rural setting.

“I had one student who was working at Hope Health in Florence who was really affected by the patients he was seeing and the patients being uninsured,” he said. “He and three other students ended up spearheading a group that is going to put on a forum (about the lack of health care insurance in the area) in the fall.”

Alyssa Polson, 20, a senior at FMU, said her outlook on medical care has changed since joining the program.

“It helps us to be aware of health issues, especially in rural areas where people lack health care,” she said. “I feel like I am much more compassionate because I now realize how heath care is lacking in areas close to home.”

For more details, contact the ARCH Office at (843) 661-1846 or via e-mail at swrchp@fmarion.edu.