A health event aimed at Amish women in Ashland County was held last Thursday, organized by a coalition of 12 local health agencies. Participating organizations included OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center, Ashland County Health Department, and Wooster Community Hospital. The event took place at UH Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland, with health professionals offering services and information from 9 a.m. to noon.
Elisa Bryant, MSML, BSN, OCN, who is the business project manager of oncology services at Mansfield Hospital and OhioHealth Shelby Hospital, mentioned that approximately 50 attendees, including vendors, were present at the event. Services provided included vaccinations, blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, cervical cancer screenings, mammograms, and bone density screenings. There were also demonstrations and educational sessions covering CPR/choking, mental health, women’s health and post-partum care, vaccines, and cancer screening opportunities, which highlighted the services offered by the participating agencies.
Bryant explained, “We prioritize caring for the Amish community by actively listening to their healthcare concerns and offering those services to meet their needs. This fosters trust and continues relationship building with this special community."
She noted efforts to overcome obstacles in healthcare, including coordinating payment options, providing education suited to the Amish lifestyle, and ensuring a comfortable setting for services. "Our goal is to foster a partnership where the Amish community feels empowered and educated to prioritize their health while maintaining their way of life,” Bryant added.