Capital Journal

Wednesday, June 7, 2006

Clinic offers free health screenings

By REBECCA CRUSE , Capital Journal Staff

Urban Indian Health of Pierre is offering free health screenings this week for its patients. The appointment slots filled up quickly, but the clinic is hoping to offer the service again later this year.

Through its connection with Indian Health Services, the clinic, which is open to all and focuses on providing affordable health care to low income individuals and families, was able to bring a team of specialists in a special mobile unit to

Pierre to provide free mammograms and bone density testing for its current patients.

The mobile unit, manned by IHS employees and subcontractors, parked in the Urban Indian Health parking lot at their new clinic on Abbey Road, Tuesday and will stay through Thursday. Appointments could be scheduled between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the three days.

"The appointments are currently filled, but if we have enough interest and support from the community, hopefully we will be able to offer the service again this summer or fall," said Tami Hogie-Lorenzen, CNP at Urban Indian Health.

The mobile unit travels throughout the four-state area covered by IHS, including South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa, according to Lorenzen. It is operated by the Aberdeen area IHS.

Through the program, patients are able to learn the results of their screenings right away. The mammogram results are sent by satellite to Ann Arbor, Mich., for immediate readings and the bone density tests, for detection of risk of osteoporosis, can be determined by the hired subcontractors.

"I worked in bone density testing research for the National Institute of Health through South Dakota State University for three years," Lorenzen said. "So I’ve had an interest and wanted to bring this to the clinic for a while now.

"We’re hoping that we can increase community awareness by promoting annual screenings in an effort to encourage healthy lifestyles, and the service is free of charge."

Urban Indian Health is also working on some additional health promotions at this time and in future months.

Recently, South Dakota UIH was awarded a grant to conduct HIV testing and education and to promote prevention in communities. Rapid HIV testing is now available at the clinic, showing a preliminary result in 20 minutes. Individuals interested in the testing and study should contact Lorenzen at the clinic, 224-8841.

SDUIH is also offering foot care examinations through its diabetes program and a fire safety program called "Sleep Safe." Both of these are in-home assessments, in which an employee from SDUIH will visit a patient’s residence, observe the situation and decide if further measures need to be taken.

Urban Indian Health will also offer a cognitive behavioral treatment system that will help patients improve personality variables, lower recidivism and enhance treatment compliance, according to Lorenzen. The Moral Reconation Therapy program will help at-risk individuals with goal setting, honesty and character development. For further information about the MRT program, contact Tanya at the clinic, 224-8841, ext. 105.



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