More News: Visitors from Across the Country and Globe

Dr. Mary Munchendu

This week is Vanderbilt Graduation...just in case you wondered why there were so many people around.  One of those graduating was Dr Mary Muchendu. Dr Muchendu lives and works as a change agent for health and wellness in Kenya as the Director of Nursing at Kijabe Hospital. Dr Muchendu came to visit the Clinic at Mercury Courts to see what a great job we are doing and we spent time discussing the common goals we have to improve the health and wellness of those we serve. It was an awesome experience.  Our own Aaron Scott, FNP said, " It was exciting to have the opportunity to hear what other cultures are doing, and to bring some of those ideas to the Clinic at Mercury Courts." He has now asked us when we will be sending him to visit Kenya...Not anytime soon, Aaron.

We also had Doctoral Student guest come to visit clinic from across the United States.  Kristin Stitt MSN, RN from Kansas City, MO. Came to visit. She is currently the VP of Clinical Development and Planning for HOS and is an expert in the field of predictive modeling. Predictive modeling is the ability to use existing information to accurately forecast clinical outcomes. Impressive!  She has a heart for uncompensated care since her days working with homeless populations early in her career. She stated "I love what you are doing here. Every health care provider should visit your clinic and see how much can be done with limited resources."

Kristin and Aaron exchanging stories

We also had a visit from Kim Hatchel, MSN, RN. She is also a Doctoral student at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Kim is the Chief Nursing Officer for the Medical Center of McKinney outside of Dallas, Tx.  Kim is actually a Nashville native and went to school across the street from us at Napier Elementary (of Mobile Market fame).  Being a nursing and systems Guru, Kim had some excellent suggestions for the clinic and said, "You all are doing important work, I will be watching your progress carefully." I know we can live up to her expectations.

Kim Hatchel. CNO HCA

Last, but not least, we had a special visit from a group of Trevecca Students from the Department of Social Justice. It is always exciting to have students from different disciplines come and tour the clinic. Their perspectives are always welcome and to know that the next generation of Social Justice leaders are interested in what we are doing at the clinic is humbling. We are so thankful as a clinic to have the opportunity to be a part of their education, as well as learn from their knowledge and expertise.

The Next Generation of Social Justice 

Diabetes Week at The Clinic Mercury Courts!!!

Beatriz with two of our favorites!!

First Ever Diabetes Class at The Clinic at Mercury Courts:
Our Diabetes week started out great! Dr. Chad Gentry had his first diabetes education class at the Clinic at Mercury Court. We are very excited to have Chad start doing this.  He is a Assistant Professor at Lipscomb University School of Pharmacy and is a Certified Diabetes Educator.  He will be having classed once a month to focus on diabetes and lifestyle choices that help people with Diabetes, as well as those with pre-diabetes, talk control of their blood sugars.  One of the attendees of the class stated, "I have had diabetes for 9 years and no one ever told me anything until I came to the clinic. Now I know more about my diabetes than I ever have!" Chad's response to this was, "That is exactly what we are here to do!" Chad and the crew will be having classes the first Monday of every month from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. Our next class will be next month. If you have diabetes or are concerned you might be at risk, you are welcome to come. Each month Chad will be talking about different topics and doing different activities. Check out our face book page for up to date information about Chad and other events at The Clinic at Mercury Courts. 

Vanderbilt University Students With the Kids

The Busy Market 

Diabetes Mini-Fair
Speaking of events, this past Wednesday we had our second Mini-Fair in front of Napier Elementary. This weeks focus was, of course, Diabetes! We offered free glucose screenings. The Napier Family Resource Center provided healthy fruit cups and dietician students from Vanderbilt University offered nutritional counseling and educations.  The amount of children and families in Nashville affected by diabetes is growing. Having access to healthy foods like fruits and vegetables is very important. The Mobile Market has these and more. They are also stocked with whole grain and low fat dairy products which are very important to a healthy diet. If you haven't come by and seen it, come next Wednesday between and 2:30pm and 4:30pm to check it out.  The Clinic at Mercury Courts will  be there to greet you. We would love to see you!

See You Next Week!!

New EKG Machine At The Clinic at Mercury Courts

The Clinic at Mercury Courts has a new EKG machine! We’re really excited to provide this service for our patients and community. An EKG (Electrocardiogram  [ih-lek-troh-kahr-dee-uh-gram]) is a simple test to see how well your heart is doing. 

Some chronic illnesses like hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes put a person at risk for heart problems like heart attack and stroke. An EKG can help see if you are at risk. Also, if you’ve ever been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, had a heart attack, or you know that your heart has already had some problems, it is important that you get an EKG. 

Our hope is that you’ll come in so that we can get a baseline EKG on you to keep in your chart. Getting a baseline EKG allows us to look at your heart on a normal day so that if we are ever concerned about your heart in the future we have a good place to start.

So, if you have any of these medical conditions or have never had an EKG done, schedule an appointment today! 

Call for an Appointment:
The Clinic at Mercury Courts
615-259-5124
Visit us at: Facebook
or follow on Twitter: @mercuryclinic 

It is so easy...watch this video to see what to expect!

FREE MAMMOGRAMS!!!!

Schedule Today!!! 615-341-4447

Nashville General's Mammograms in May

In honor of Mother's Day, Nashville General Hospital at Meharry is once again offering no cost mammograms during the month of May.

Women over the age of 40 who have not had a mammogram in the past year are encouraged to take part in Nashville General Hospital's 11th annual Mammograms in May program. The NO COST MAMMOGRAMS are for women both insured and UNINSURED. Copays will not be incurred. The no cost mammograms will be conducted in Nashville General's Breast Health Center, located on the main floor of the hospital at 1818 Albion Street.

Beginning May 1, 2013, call 615-341-4447 to schedule an appointment.

First Mini-Fair High Blood Pressure

Kylynn Daniels (VUSN student) taking our
new friend, Cameyia Wells' Blood Pressure

We had another great time today at the Nashville Mobile Market (@nashmobilemkt).  The focus of our first #Mini-Fair was high blood pressure. I am happy to say that quite few people were able to take advantage of the free screening.  High blood pressure is one of the leading chronic health problems in the United States and it often has no symptoms.  Even if you do not have high blood pressure, it is important to get screened from time to time to make sure it does not sneak up on you.  The highest your blood pressure should go is 140/90 (one forty over ninety).

What a Cutie!! Keep eating Healthy!

In order to help our community stay healthy, the Clinic at Mercury Courts is planning and committed to be at the Mobile Market, outside of Napier Elementary, every Wednesday from 2:30pm to 4:30pm (weather permitting). Each week we will be providing simple health screenings like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, or BMI. We will also be providing diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle classes as well.  One person stated, "It is nice to know someone is caring about our community and about our health."

I can't overstate what a great opportunity it has been to partner with the Nashville Mobile Market. Another shopper said, "These prices are great! I love that I can get a fresh tomatoes, strawberries, and cabbage so close to home."

The kids also love it. It was fun walking through the market with the children and seeing them name off all the fruits and vegetables.  It was amazing! One of our favorites is the young lady (right) who was so excited to buy fresh strawberries and banana. We all had a great time and cannot wait until next week!!

Dr. Chad Gentry goofing off with Napier Mom

Next week we are planning on doing blood glucose screenings so if you want to have a free blood glucose screen, come on over to Napier Elementary from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm...And Don't forget your grocery money to by some of the healthiest food in Nashville from the Nashville Mobile Market!

Also, Don't forget...our resident Pharmacist from Lipscomb University and Certified Diabetic Educator will be providing FREE DIABETIC EDUCATION at the Clinic at Mercury Courts on May 6th from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Visit our Facebook Page for details or follow us on twitter @MercuryClinic. See you there!

Visit to the Nashville Mobile Market at Napier

Inside the Market at Napier

We had the privilege today to visit the Nashville Mobile Market sponsored by Vanderbilt University. It was an great time!  The Mobile Market is, as it states, a small grocery store on wheels.  They had all kinds of healthy foods to choose from like bananas, apples, pears, spinach, sweet potatoes, and whole grains.  The purpose and mission of the mobile market is to provide access to wholesome foods in areas that do not have other affordable grocery stores.  They have multiple stops throughout the week and or favorite is the new one because it is only about mile from our front door of the clinic.

The Best Kids in Nashville!!!

The Market has started a very creative way to get kids to eat healthy and keep their grades up too.  For every A a child receives on his/her report card, they get a piece of fruit.  If I know the kids at Napier, the Mobile Market better buy some more fruit!

The Clinic at Mercury Courts will also be coming to the Market on Wednesdays from 2:30-4:30pm to provide blood pressure screenings and help answer any nutritional questions any of our friends in the community might have (particularly when the weather starts getting warm). So, bring a sack for all of your good food, a pen a pencil to take notes, and a your appetite for nutritious food, but most importantly, be ready for a great time!

One last announcement, The Clinic at Mercury Courts is now "on-line" Come and take a peek at our Facebook page at Our Facebook Page (<--Click Here) We will be using this site to communicate clinic news and updates as well as health news throughout the day.  Don't forget to "Like".  You can also follow us on twitter at  Follow @MercuryClinic.

Until next time....Be Healthy Nashville!

Spring is Here

Spring is finally here in Nashville! The Clinic at Mercury Courts celebrated by having our first Health Extravaganza for 2013. It was an amazing time. We invited everyone from the area and had a great time.  It was all put together by Brittany Jewett, the newest member of our team and an awesome addition to Urban Housing Solutions.  The Napier Elementary Community Center, The Mobile Market, and Franklin Road Women's Health Center were only a few of our guests and sponsors. Our partner was the wonderful Trevecca Physicians Assistant Program.  They were incredible!  Vanderbilt represented with a crew from the Vanderbilt Program for Interdisciplinary Learning.  The numbers are not in yet but it looks like we had well over 100 people. We are so happy to becoming an active part of the community.  Great Pic below!!

We have quite a few spring and summer events lined up like partnering with the new Mobile Market location at Napier Elementary School on Wednesday from 2-4pm to provide health screenings like blood pressures and blood sugar testing.

We also just recently got on Facebook. Please visit our site at The Clinic at Mercury Courts Facebook We are excited to have another way to connect with our community. Like and get updates for all the events we will be having this Spring.

I also wanted to give a special thanks the Mercury Courts community for allowing us to come in become a part of your community. We are very grateful to you and you are all wonderful neighbors!!! Thank you for all of your support!