Baptist Healthy Communities

If you are interested in signing up for Baptist Healthy Communities and have not already done so, please visit baptistcommunities.org. For more information or to make sure your faith organization or community agency is on our list, please contact us at 901-227-3512 or annmarie.wallace@bmhcc.org.

April Roundup

Help Our Community Get Vaccinated

Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy

People hear and see a lot of misinformation in their social circles and on social media about COVID-19. But physicians and other public health professionals are often the best source of truthful and reliable information about COVID-19 and the vaccine. 
If you know someone who has concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine, try one or more of the following strategies to help them:

1. Provide emotional support. Say “I know there is uncertainty, but this disease is scary. I got the vaccine (or am planning to), and I want it for my family and want you to get it too.”
2. Acknowledge uncertain risk. People react very strongly to any kind of new or perceived risk from something they have no experience with. But we do not go through life without risk: we face it every time we drive our car or allow our children to ride their bikes down the street. The threat of COVID-19 is real and increasing, and while it is reasonable to wonder about the vaccine or seek more information from reliable sources before deciding to get vaccinated, making the choice to get vaccinated will help reduce risk to you, your loved ones and society as a whole.
3. Talk about known risks. Let people know what to expect when getting the vaccines, from common side effects, such as muscle soreness and fever, to the rare risk of allergic reactions. Talk about what’s being done to monitor and respond to those reactions.
4. Share information. Pass on articles from reputable sources to combat misinformation about the vaccines and their safety and efficacy.
5. Partner with communities. Approach people who are skeptical with transparency and respect. For example, acknowledge the problems that exist and collaborate with those who have long-standing relationships with concerned communities to provide information.
6. Share your experience. Saying “go get the vaccine” is one thing; showing that you are willing to do it openly is another and even more powerful.
7. Tap into people’s desire to protect. Use pre-existing motivations to protect friends and family, and frame getting vaccinated as something you and everyone can do for the people you love.

Vaccine Sites

Baptist Memorial Hospital and Baptist Medical Group locations 

City of Memphis locations

Tennessee Department of Health locations

Mississippi State Department of Health Vaccination Information

Arkansas Department of Health Vaccination Information

Health News and Information

Make Your Sleep Count

Are you often tired after a full night of sleep? You could have a sleep disorder. Poor quality sleep has been linked to a number of health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. 

Visit Baptist Sleep Disorders Centers’ webpage  to learn more about signs and symptoms of sleep disorders and to download our sleep diary to help you evaluate your sleep.

Gear Up for Outside Spring Fun at Shelby Farms

Ride bikes. Walk. Run. Even kayak!

Recognized as one of the largest urban parks in the country, Shelby Farms Park is a true gem for Memphians. Families can enjoy many fun and affordable or even free activities at this park all year long.

Get Outside! Fitness Programs are a part of Shelby Farms Park's Health + Wellness Programs, which are made possible by Baptist Memorial Health Care.

Health Tips

Do you need help managing your diabetes? Baptist offers a free program that has successfully helped thousands of patients improve their diabetic health. Read about the program. 

Visit Baptist’s Better Health blog for more health tips or information.

Dates for Your Calendar

Please visit Events at Baptist for a full schedule of events or for more information.

Levitt Shell Health and Wellness Series Sponsored by Baptist Memorial Health Care

Click here to see the April schedule.

2021 Baptist Art of Caring: Dedicated to Those We Lost in 2020 and the Ones Who Love Them

The Junior League of Memphis Community Resource Center
3475 Central Avenue
Memphis, TN 38111

• Tuesday, April 27, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 28, 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, April 29, 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
• Friday, April 30, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

View artwork and bid online, or make a donation at www.baptistartofcaring.org.

Please make plans to visit the Junior League of Memphis Community Resource Center April 27–30 for a unique experience and the opportunity to view artwork created for the 2021 Baptist Art of Caring. This free weeklong exhibit will feature the work of local artists and those remembering the loved ones they lost in the past year. All artwork will be available for purchase through an online auction (baptistartofcaring.org), and 100% of proceeds will benefit the Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief, which provides free grief services for children and adults in the Mid-South.

All visitors will be asked to wear a face mask, practice social distancing and adhere to all COVID-19 safety measures.

Mental Health in the Black Community: From Taboo to Truth Webinar

Thursday, April 29, 2021 
6:30 p.m. 

Register here.

The Bluff City Medical Society is hosting a panel discussion on mental health in the Black community. Mental health issues are often taboo in communities of color, so Bluff City panelists will discuss these challenges, share meaningful facts on mental health conditions and discuss options for management and treatment available in the community. Questions can be submitted through the registration link and the Q&A feature during the webinar.

Panelists

• Dr. Patrice Harris, Past President of the American Medical Association
• Dr. Rahn Bailey, Past President of the National Medical Association
• Dr. Altha Stewart, Past President of the American Psychiatric Association

2021 VIRTUAL LIVE! Memphis Breast Cancer Symposium

Saturday, May 1, 2021 
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

For more information or to register, click here.

The Live! Memphis virtual event will feature breast health information from Baptist Cancer Center experts and others, entertainment, prizes, gift bags and much more. The keynote speaker is Dr. Jackie Walters, a two-time breast cancer survivor and the star of Married to Medicine. 

Drive-Thru Baby Fair

Saturday, May 1, 2021 
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto
7601 Southcrest Pkwy.
Southaven, MS 38671

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Desoto is hosting a free drive-thru baby fair on May 1. It will provide all the expert help you need to make sure that your baby has the best start.

• Breastfeeding education
• Car seat checks
• Childbirth experts
• Obstetricians and pediatricians
• Healthy pregnancy tips
• Infant CPR
• Photo opportunities and much more

Health Resources

If you would like to order coronavirus (COVID-19) educational materials for your congregation or organization, please complete this order form.

Get Connected

For more information, or to make sure your faith organization is on our list, please call 901-227-3512 or email Ann Marie Wallace at annmarie.wallace@bmhcc.org.