Baptist Health Paducah provides defibrillators to 9 rural churches

The Congregational Network for Healthcare at Baptist Health Paducah presented automated external defibrillators to nine more rural churches today.

The Congregational Network for Healthcare at Baptist Health Paducah presented automated external defibrillators to nine more rural churches today. Training also was provided.

The Congregational Network for Healthcare was a new initiative launched last year to improve the health of our community by partnering with local churches. The network’s aim is to provide a continuity of care to patients after they leave the hospital with the help of volunteers representing congregations throughout the region.

The funding for the defibrillators was provided by Baptist Health Foundation Paducah. Churches were chosen based on their rural locations and distance from available medical assistance. They are also members of the network.

The churches are Benton First Missionary Church, Benton; Pathway Baptist Church, Calvert City; Zion’s Cause Baptist Church, Draffenville; Oscar Baptist Church, Oscar; McKendree United Methodist Church, Kevil; Mississippi Baptist Church, Bardwell; New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Paducah; Fairview Baptist Church, La Center, and Schneidman  Road Baptist Church, Paducah. A device also was given to the Baptist Health Child Development Center.

Earlier this year, the Congregational Network for Healthcare provided defibrillators to 15 rural churches in the area.

“Our Congregational Network for Healthcare navigators, Rick Johnson and Ruthanne Cockrell, have been working for almost a year to secure funding and recognize churches that have a need for an AED,” said Joel Jackson, interim director of pastoral care. “Many churches have voiced an interest in having their own defibrillators and we are happy to be able to provide this potential life-saving device. The network is just another way we can demonstrate the love of Christ by providing and coordinating care and improving health in our communities.”

For more information about the Congregational Network for Healthcare, phone 270.415.7695 or 270.415.7694.