By Staff
It might seem that not much happens at 7 a.m. on Saturday mornings. But that's when a group of people who have proven themselves instrumental in improving healthcare for residents of Escambia County do some of their work.
The Coalition for a Healthier Escambia County, chaired by Ruth Harrell, has addressed health care needs of local residents ranging from the birth to the elderly.
The birth to five initiative helps demonstrate the importance of brain development in children from birth.
The group worked with the health department to develop a tobacco prevention program in local schools, potentialy improving health for teens throughtout their lives.
They helped start a dental clinic in the health department, and a local branch of the Ozanam Charitable Pharmacy, providing prescription drugs for countless people who could not afford them.
They addressed the high infant mortality rate in the county with the Fetal-Infant Mortality Review Program and worked with two other counties to secure KidOne Transport established, providing transportation to doctors for those who do not have it.
They are indeed movers and shakers who have done important work for our community. We appreciate the dedication they show in getting up on Saturday mornings to get things going.