Owensboro Health | Lift | March 2017

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Owensboro Health Muhlenberg
Community Hospital is working with
coal miners with respiratory diseases
to improve their quality of life.
For many current and retired coal
miners, traveling long distances to
get medical tests or care isn’t an
option. The Coal Miners’ Respiratory
Clinic offers diagnostic testing and
care right in the heart of the Western
Kentucky Coal Field.
Through its outreach program,
the clinic offers on-site respiratory
screening and education and helps
miners apply for federal black lung
benefits. The staff also provides
smoking cessation resources and
other options that can improve
overall health.
Help close to home
Howard McDonald, of South
Carrolton, is a patient in the Coal
Miners’ Respiratory Clinic and the
pulmonary rehabilitation unit.
McDonald was diagnosed with
black lung in 2010 and stage III
lung cancer in 2013. His cancer
is now in remission, but he
continues to come to the clinic
and rehab unit.
“One of my cancer doctors
recommended me coming to the
coal miners’ clinic. He thought it
might help keep me from building up
scar tissue on my lungs,” McDonald
said. “I think it may have helped
some, because the lung cancer is in
remission. I just decided to keep on
coming. I think it does help me. It
makes you use parts of your body
you don’t normally use every day.”
McDonald also says he is glad to
have both the respiratory clinic and
heart and lung rehab right here in
Muhlenberg County.
“It’s close to home,” McDonald
said. “That makes a big difference.
It’s better than having to drive to
Owensboro three days a week or
somewhere else, like Hopkinsville or
Madisonville. They’re a great bunch
of people here. They help you out
any way they can.”
High-quality care
The clinic is staffed with a team of
highly trained and certified medical
professionals. Outreach clinics are
held monthly in Muhlenberg County
and 11 surrounding counties near
existing or former coal mines.
Coal Miners’ Clinic
Unearthing better respiratory health
Care for coal miners
The Coal Miners’ Respiratory Clinic is ready and equipped to care
for our patients’ needs with the following staff: Nursing Supervisor
Kim Brumfield, RN; Pulmonologist Sanjay Chavda, MD; Federal Black
Lung Benefits Counselor Laura Creager; and Outreach Educator
Martha Roberts, RN. Our team of experts provides FREE respiratory
screenings at regional outreach events and can assist with filing a
federal black lung claim for benefits. They can also perform complete
pulmonary studies with examination by Dr. Chavda.
We can
help: For more
information or
to schedule an
appointment,
please call
270-338-8300.
FREE RESPIRATORY SCREENINGS
For Retired
& Inactive Coal Miners
WE OFFER ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING
FOR THE FEDERAL BLACK LUNG PROGRAM FREE:
• Pulmonary Function Tests
• Blood Pressure Screening
• Pulse oximetry
QUESTIONS?CALL270 338 8300
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OHMCH Coal 5.5x6 AD LIFT.pdf 1 11/18/16 8:15 AM
E R ES PIR AT OR Y S C R EE N I NG S
For Retired
Inactive al Miners
WEOFFERASSISTANCE INAPPLYING
FORTHEFEDERALBLACKLUNGPROGRAM FREE:
• Pulmonary FunctionTests
• Blood Pressure Screening
• PulseOximetry
QUESTIONS?CALL270 338 8300
Better
respiratory
health:
Howard
McDonald
participates
in rehab
right here in
Muhlenberg
County.