Rotarians learn about emergency health board

A program on the Polk County Emergency Health Board regarding its history and purpose was recently presented to the Rotary Club of Livingston by President John Muzny and Volunteer Peggy Wooten. (l-r) Rotarian Ray Gearing, Wooten, Muzny and Rotary President Andrew Boyce. Courtesy photo

From Enterprise Staff

John Muzny, president of the Polk County Emergency Health Board, recently spoke to the Rotary Club of Livingston.

Muzny spoke briefly about the work of the emergency health board. He then shared the news that the Polk County Emergency Health Board is in negotiation with the Center of Hope to become a part of the Center of Hope. The emergency health board has been housed at the Texas Health Department office in Livingston which has sporadic hours and is often not available to emergency health board volunteers to work or to meet with people in need of its services. Being housed at the Center of Hope will make the facilities available on a regular basis for volunteer workers and answering the phone.

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Muzny introduced Peggy Wooten, who is a retired social worker for the Texas Department of Health. Wooten told off the original history of the emergency health board. Concerned citizens in 1987 were aware of the plight of people in Polk County who were in dire need to get prescriptions filled and didn’t have enough money. Many times they would end up in the emergency room. She stressed that the board was organized to meet those emergency needs and very seldom is able to meet ongoing needs. The emergency health board has helped people with transportation to doctors’ offices out of town. This has been especially true for cancer patients who have frequent needs.

During the question answer session following the program, Wooten told of the Keep Kids in School Program supported by First Presbyterian Church. While there are many different needs of children that have to be met before they can return to school, one quite expensive need is treatment for lice. The treatment shampoo regimen is extensive and involves the entire family.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Rotary presented a check to Muzny for the emergency health board which was much appreciated.