Members of the Warren Lions Club addressed the MASH Class currently studying at the Bradley County Medical Center. The MASH class, which stands for Medical Applications of Science for Health, consists of high school students who have an interest in serving in the healthcare field. They take part in the program to get an overall view of the different aspects of healthcare and the careers that are available.
Wednesday, June 29 Warren Lions Club President Gregg Reep, Lions Secretary-Treasurer James Wells and Vision Chairman Delbert Zimmerly addressed the MASH class and explained the utilization of the Lions Club’s eye examine camera and the program implemented on an annual basis to check the eyes of preschool children in Bradley County and surrounding counties.
The camera takes a picture of a child’s eyes and indicates if there is a potential problem that may need correcting. If the tests show a problem may exist, the student’s parents or guardian and the school are notified and urged to get a professional examination and to get a corrective plan of action underway. This includes an eye exam and glasses as needed.
If the family needs financial assistance, the Lions Club, in cooperation with Dr. Robert Smalling, provides assistance. The idea is to make sure the children can see as they participate in school activities and learning. The Lions members demonstrated the camera by testing several of the MASH Students’ eyes.
James Wells addressed the students, as did Club President Gregg Reep, who urged the students to take part in civic activities as they enter the workforce in the future. Mr. Reep talked about other Lions Club projects in Warren and worldwide. Mr. Zimmerly, who operates the camera, went into detail on how the test works and the importance of catching vision issues at a young age so corrective actions can be made.
Bradley County Medical Center Staff involved with MASH are the following:
- Krissy Morrision, RN, Labor & Delivery/Nursery Manager and Cheryl Wells, ER/MCUManager
- The MASH Committee at BCEDC includes-Jamie Wolfe, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Brooke Hatch Hatch, HR, Dennon Cuthbertson, IT/PR and Barbara Barnes, Employee Health/Infective Prevengtion
The students went through a two week course. The concept is to recruit more students into the field of healthcare for the local community.
Students include the following:
- Cinnamon Davis, Cristal Castillo, Braniya Davis from Warren High School
- Laken Williams, Shakara Miles from Hampton High School
- Ma’Kya Ashley from Hermitage High School
- Belle Vinson from Woodlawn High School