Novant Health Mint Hill Medical Center held an extraordinary community appreciation event on Saturday, September 22, between two and five in the afternoon. The next day following the ribbon cutting ceremony and the officials tours , families and the general public were invited to enjoy a day in the sun, with music, children activities, snacks and tours of the newly-built facility, and to explore the helipad with the Novant Health Med Flight helicopter. Adults and children surrounded the small but well equipped emergency-transportation helicopter and the medical-pilots, who invited them to climb on board and take a better look. They were happy to explain the functionality of the equipment and to answer questions from the many who were gathering.
Not far from them, the parking-lot at the front entrance was transformed into a fun-and–learn place, with many purple tents. T-shirts, nail kits, small gifts and memorabilia were given to the participants. Also, information about the newly–built Imaging Center, a state-of-the-art facility, designed to provide “the highest level of services available from annual screening mammograms to general imaging needs (e.g. MRI, CT, Nuclear medicine and others).” The Breast Imaging Center provided printed materials with all related services to 3D/2D screening, breast ultrasound, stereotactic biopsy, bone density testing, and more.
A great attraction was the Hemby Mobil Center, where families were able to get specifics related to children’s health, ask questions, and some even got tests or vaccinations done. “The Community Care Cruiser, a 40-foot mobile clinic, provides immunizations (vaccines) to uninsured children in the greater Charlotte area. The cruiser is led by a medical director, nursing staff and social worker and visits identified underserved areas. “The rising cost of healthcare impacts the lives of our patients in every community we serve. Our mission to provide remarkable healthcare extends outside the walls of Novant Health hospitals” stated a spokesperson.
Events like this are focused on the community’s access to care. Therefore, I was told about the Community benefit “a focused and strategic approach to improving the health of the communities we live and work in. Novant Health’s commitment to community involvement and benefit means continuous creation of programs dedicated to improving the health of our patients, neighbors and our community’s most vulnerable citizens.” Part of the programs are the Academic health programs and clinical education; Community health fairs and screening; Community health education, wellness coaching, support groups and more.
Few Novant Ambulances were also part of the event, and people were encouraged to explore and learn in the healthiest way. “Our state-of-the-art ambulance service is staffed 24/7 by a team of registered nurses and is equipped with advanced technology, medication and resources to provide critical care during transport” reads a statement.
Although the sun was baking the pavement and everting above, the well-stocked tents provided refreshing cold beverages, popcorn and other treats to provide energy. Daphne’s Bakery brought scrumptious mini-cupcakes and other morsels of brownies and more. The spirits were kept high thanks to a professional DJ, and volunteers, employees and the participants were swept by the music into a dance routine. The Radio station K 104.7 and its DJs were really animated broadcasting from the event, inviting more families to come and enjoy “ Kids could explore the Novant Health helicopter, have fun with face painting ,balloon animals and more.” And they were right, because it was a whole alley dedicated to rides, slides and games (over 10 and counting).
The community event provided something for everyone, young or young at heart, fun, learning, and the opportunity to explore and be amazed by the simplicity of a garden and the complexity of the medical-technology, all working together with extraordinary people to become the new Novant Health Mint Hill Center.
