April 19, 2007                                                      

SIU Med Students Organize CTUW Services

Uninsured individuals in need of dental care are invited to a free oral health screening being sponsored by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Illinois Dental Hygienists’ Association, GV Black Dental Society and Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) as part of Cover the Uninsured Week (CTUW) activities.  The screenings will be conducted 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 27, at the Midwest Technical Institute (MTI), 2731 Farmer’s Market Road, Springfield.

The oral health screenings are open to individuals 18 years and older who have a government-issued medical card and photo identification.  The screenings begin with blood pressure and oral health screenings, followed by dental cleanings for those who qualify.  Free oral care kits and nutrition information also will be provided.

The screenings are supported by a small grant awarded by the American Association of Medical Colleges.  SIU medical students received one of seven grants awarded.

Medical students at SIU also updated a resource card listing 16 agencies that provide health services for uninsured patients.  The card is being distributed to physicians so they can carry it with them and give appropriate information to patients who need medical assistance.

Nearly 46 million Americans, more than 15 percent of our population, are without health insurance.  SIU and its affiliated hospitals, Memorial Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital, and the Sangamon County Medical Society have again joined a national grass-roots campaign sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (www.CoverTheUninsuredWeek.org).
MTI is located in northeast Springfield -- from the intersection of Dirksen Parkway and Sangamon Avenue, go north on Dirksen Parkway.  At the second stoplight, turn east onto Atlanta Street, which turns into Farmer's Market Road.

For more information about CTUW activities, call MTI at 800-504-8882 or Isabel Manker at the Sangamon County Medical Society, 525-0765, weekdays.  The local Web site is http://www.siumed.edu/news/CTUW07events.html.

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