Community event shines spotlight on kidney health

By Billy S., RN, Wesley Nurse

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) in collaboration with The Texas Kidney Foundation hosted a free kidney health screening event at First United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi (900 S. Shoreline Blvd.) on Saturday, July 11. The community event was open to the public and provided a kidney panel test along with the opportunity for participants to counsel with onsite doctors and nurse practitioners. The individual consultations allowed for personal discussion about diabetes related chronic conditions and helped attendees learn firsthand how to prevent long-term complications. Additional services included blood pressure, BMI and cholesterol checks as well as a resource fair with representation from more than 20 local agencies. Family counseling, diabetes education, prescription assistance and charitable medical clinic referrals were a few services offered at the highly impactful event.

In South Texas, statistics involving incidents of diabetes and pre-diabetes are staggering. Complications from diabetes can cause cardiac related issues, which makes events like the Texas Kidney Check so vital. Over 90 participants were successfully screened and many expressed gratitude to both the church and the supporting agencies for providing this important service to Corpus Christi and surrounding counties. The accessibility of the health screening, interactions with the medical providers and the information provided through the resource fair made the event a great success for those underserved in our local community.

Special thanks to the following agencies for their collaboration: Texas Kidney Check; the First United Methodist Church of Corpus Christi; CHRISTUS Spohn Care Van; and Dr. Cynthia Salloum and associates with Bay Area Kidney Specialists.