MERIDIAN —     Today is the last day of National Health Center Week. However, the week's emphasis will continue long after for Greater Meridian Health Clinic Inc.

    GMHC marked the week with several activities, including a “Clean Hands Save Lives” campaign, voter registration and employee appreciation activities to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers as local solutions. 

    “Celebrating America’s Health Centers: Powering Healthier Communities” is the 2012 theme, which underscores how community health centers have provided access to affordable, high quality, cost effective health care to medically vulnerable and underserved people throughout the United States for more than 45 years.

    "Health centers are strong partnerships of people, governments and communities who work together to meet the unique and diverse health conditions of the community," GMHC CEO Wilbert Jones said.

    "Health centers are run from the bottom up, by a patient-majority governing board who guides how limited resources can be effectively directed to meet the health care needs of the community," he said.

     This week Greater Meridian presented regionally renowned artist Ruby Yarbrough in its pediatric units. Yarbrough read stories to young patients and families. Also, parents were encouraged to sign up their child for Dolly Parton’s “Imagination Library.” 

    "This program encourages reading and provides free books for children up to 5 years old," said Debra Graham, LPN, infection control nurse and Special Projects coordinator.

    Tuesday was Handwash Awareness Day. A display table was set up in the lobby of GMHC and featured a video demonstrating the correct way to wash hands, as well as brochures. Participants were also encouraged to sign up for a gift basket with handwashing products.

    Employees donned their red white and blue on Wednesday to encourage voter registration. Thursday was all about employees. T-shirts and appreciation for all they do was the theme of the day. And on Friday, healthy snacks were provided for employees.

    A special drawing will be held next week in which seven employees will receive $25 gift cards.

    "A gift card will be presented to one employee from each of Greater Meridian Health Center's seven sites," Graham said.

    The hand-washing campaign, voter registration and sign up for Imagination Library will continue today during regular clinic hours, from 8 a.m. to noon. Voter registration and sign up for Imagination Library is ongoing.

    Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Inc. was established in 1986 and this year celebrates 25 years of “Empowering Patients for A Lifetime of Good Health."   GMHC, Inc. serves patients in the five counties of Lauderdale, Kemper, Winston, Noxubee and Oktibbeha.

     “Studies show when illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and depression are not appropriately managed or prevented, they account for a significant portion of the skyrocketing costs for families and the entire health care system,” Jones said.

    “America's Community Health Centers, like Greater Meridian, have been leaders in showing the value of this approach as an effective way to address more needs, improve health and contain costs. Our patients not only get the care they need under one roof, but they are treated as individuals, with dignity and respect. This is what health care should be, and what we celebrate during National Health Center Week.”