PDMD hosting health fairs for professional truckers

The Trucker News Services

10/21/2008

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.—Professional Drivers Medical Depots (PDMD) is hosting health fairs for professional drivers through Friday PDMD locations in Knoxville, Tenn., West Memphis, Ark., Peru, Ill., and Atlanta.

 The fair is designed to provide drivers in need with free services and information to help them improve their health. 

“We have designed this health fair to meet the schedules and needs of professional drivers,” said Dr. John McElligott, chairman and chief medical officer for PDMD.  “We know that many drivers don’t have the time or money to keep up with their health care which may have them at risk. We understand, and just as we operate our regular clinics to meet these constraints, we plan to hold this health fair to meet the truckers’ lifestyle.  Our ultimate goal is to help these drivers improve their lifestyle, quality of life and overall health, and we’ll do what it takes to make that happen.”

All clinics will provide free wellness exams, hearing exams, sleep studies, blood pressure checks, flu shots and blood sugar checks.

 Furthermore, drivers can receive diet information, exercise information, stroke/heart attack information and other health-related and educational supplies. Doctors will be available throughout the week to allow professional drivers the opportunity to check on their health conditions as well.  Each clinic will also have a raffle for gift cards from the Iron Skillet and Petro Shops.

“Drivers passing by any of the PDMD locations should stop in to take advantage of the free services and information,” said McElligott.

Here is specific information about each location:

Knoxville

On Oct. 21, Juice Plus will be on-hand to provide samples of their product, which is a simple and convenient way to add more nutrition from fruits and vegetables to your diet, every day.  Additionally, a chiropractor will be in the office to speak to drivers about structural and functional problems and provide adjustments.  

 On Oct. 22, drivers can receive a colonography for a minimal fee from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., which uses CT scanning to obtain an interior view of the colon (the large intestine) that is otherwise only seen with a more invasive procedure.  The procedure is used to screen for polyps and other lesions in the large intestine, which may grow and turn into cancer.  Also, on Oct. 22, Aussie Mobile will provide vet services and grooming to drivers’ furry companions. 

 On Oct. 23, the Diabetes Association will be at the health fair to discuss nutrition, eating well and blood sugar.  Allergan Lap Band Representatives will be at PDMD to talk to drivers about Body Mass Index and obesity and counsel them on their options and health.

 On Oct. 24, ResMed will return and colonographies will be offered again from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

 The Knoxville PDMD is located at the Petro Stopping Center on I-40/I-75 at Exit 369.  The Knoxville PDMD is open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday-Friday. 

 West Memphis

Throughout the week, different organizations will be at the West Memphis clinic.  On Oct. 21, St. Bernard Hospital will be available to communicate the importance of diabetes awareness and hypertension.  Drivers can also see a message therapist on Wednesday, Oct. 22 or a chiropractor on Thursday, Oct. 23. 

 The West Memphis Health Department will provide drivers with condoms and materials on sexually transmitted diseases and on Friday, Oct. 24, Home Diagnostics will be handing out glucometers to drivers and ResMed will be on-hand to discuss sleep apnea.

A cardio mobile unit at the clinic will provide ultrasounds: carotid, abdominal, and PVD; bone density tests; 4 lead EKG; and Blood: CRP, lipid panel, glucose at a discounted price. 

The West Memphis PDMD is located at the Petro Stopping Center on I-40 at Exit 280/I-55 at Exit 5.  The West Memphis clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Peru

During the health fair, drivers can select a variety of topics on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disease in which the lungs are damaged, making it hard to breathe.  Moreover, there will be resources about various cancers, breast exams, prostate exams, sexually transmitted diseases and smoking cessation. Drivers can also get information about continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which are used mainly by patients for the treatment of sleep apnea. 

 The Peru PDMD is located at the Sapp Bros Truck Stop on I-80 at Exit 73 (Plank Rd).  The Peru PDMD is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday.

 Atlanta

On Oct.  21, Home Diagnostics will distribute glucometers to drivers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 Piedmont Hospital will offer cholesterol and blood sugar screenings on October 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Mary Kay will present toiletry baskets, which will include shampoo, deodorant and perfume on Oct. 24. 

 Drivers can also choose items about cancer screenings, cervical cancer, colorectal screenings, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, asthma, lung disease and tobacco control.  The American Heart Association will set up a table to furnish drivers with facts about heart disease, tips for eating healthy, coronary disease, heart attack and stroke.

The Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA) NASCAR Simulator will be at the clinic all week for drivers to test their skill at racing, as well as an Allergan Lap Band Representative to converse with drivers about Body Mass Index and obesity, and counsel them on their options and health.

The Atlanta PDMD is located at the Petro Stopping Center on I-285 at Exit 12, and it is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

PDMD’s mission is to improve drivers’ health by making high quality healthcare accessible, and to accomplish this goal, PDMD is opening healthcare facilities at truck stops across the country.  The facilities provide services to professional drivers, including DOT-related medical care (physicals, drug screening, breath alcohol testing), first aid and minor trauma care, personal medical care (chronic disease, infectious disease, musculoskeletal disorders, chiropractic care, dentistry, prescription drugs, sleep disorders), as well as preventive medicine (flu shots, wellness checks, smoking cessation, weight management, pneumonia vaccine).

 For more information about PDMD, please call (865) 531-1542 or visit pd-md.com.