The nonprofit SEARCH, which was formed in 2017 to foster and defend the health and healthcare needs of the citizens of Mitchell and Yancey counties, will host an open meeting on Tuesday, June 4, from 8:30 to 10:30 at the Cross Street Building in Spruce Pine. Based on an in-depth analysis of health care services in the two counties commissioned by SEARCH, it will feature an overview of the findings presented by Greensboro-based Annika Pfaender, healthcare researcher and writer with over 20 years of experience in the field of public health. The final report was written by Pfaender based on the original study, which was carried out by the WNC Health Network.
Titled Healthcare Across the Lifespan: A Look at Mitchell Counties, the meeting will hone in on each of the five populations described in the report: Mothers and Young Children (Ages 0-4), Youths (Ages 5-19), Adults of Working Age (Ages 20-64), Seniors (Ages 65 and above) as well as the population experiencing behavioral health challenges. Jamie McMahan will moderate a panel discussion with experts from the local community discussing the findings in the report and answering questions about it, such as what surprised them in it, what recommendations ring true, what might have been missed, and what actions are actually achievable. SEARCH views this as an opportunity for the community to come together around the subject of healthcare and to make progress towards a system that benefits everyone.
The SEARCH Access to Care Project was conducted over the past two years by committed board members and volunteers along with paid professionals. It was funded by the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners, the AMY Wellness Foundation, and The Fund for Mitchell County. Since the completion of the report, past and present board members have travelled the two counties sharing the findings with civic groups, health-related organizations, elected officials and healthcare agencies and providers. The event on June 4 will be the first time the report will be presented to the general public.
A complimentary breakfast will begin the day. For more information and to register, go to the website, SEARCHwnc.org.
