Farm workers' day celebrated at HMC

Highland Medi cal Center executive director Dr. D.Bradley Drawbaugh (left) and nurse manager Leslie Armstrong prepare to announce door prize winners at the HMC Farmers' Day event last Friday. Armstrong and her husband, Cole, organized the event which attracted more than 100 local farmers interested in learning more about HMC services, and in seeing farm equipment displays and to talk to representatives from the Virginia Farm Bureau and the AgrAbility Virginia Project. Ernie's Market catered lunch. (Recorder photo by James Jacenich) MONTEREY — As part of National Health Center week, Highland Medical Center sponsored Farmers Day Friday, Aug. 14. HMC provided a free lunch, and area businesses set up farm equipment exhibits and informational booths.

"Agriculture is the No. 1 industry in our area," said HMC chief executive officer D. Bradley Drawbaugh. "Most of our patients are farmers," he continued. "And farmers are getting older.

He said farmers face unique hazards from pollens, molds, chemicals and pesticides. They are also subject to work-related and weather-related injuries and many suffer from arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. "Our mission is to provide primary health care," said Drawbaugh. "We are the first-treatment provider."

HMC has two physicians on staff. Dr. George Damewood is a family practitioner and Dr. Kim Bird is an internist. HMC also has a dentist and a prescription service.

"We are a federally-qualified health center," said Drawbaugh. "We care for folks regardless of ability to pay."

Rates at HMC are based on a sliding slide according to a person's income. "We can set up payment plans if need be," Drawbaugh added. HMC is also a Medicaid provider.

"We are well-connected with health-insurance (providers)," said Drawbaugh. "We pretty much take any insurance out there."

Drawbaugh said HMC is a vital "health line for health care." Health care choices often come down to a matter of time and money, he said. HMC provides affordable quality health care to patients who would otherwise have to travel a long distance over several mountains to get comparable service, he explained.

Nurse manager Leslie Armstrong and her husband, Cole, planned the Farmers' Day event, said Drawbaugh. He hopes Farmers' Day will become an annual HMC event.

There are more 1,200 community health centers in the United States serving 18 million people nationwide, and more than 100 in Virginia serving 240,000 people.

HMC serves Highland and Bath counties, West Augusta; and Pocahontas and Pendleton counties in West Virginia.