Faith Community Parish Nurses
Since 2001, the EAMC Parish Nurses have been serving the community through programs in churches as well as other sites, such as community health fairs (including an annual Hispanic health fair).
The Parish Nurse Program provides the opportunity for registered nurses employed by EAMC to serve in their congregation or faith group. Here at Holy Trinity, we are fortunate to have one such nurse who serves us: Carolyn Galli.
These nurses seek to reclaim the healing ministry of the faith community and serve as bridges between the community of faith and the medical community. The group currently is active in more than 20 congregations in Lee, Macon, and Chambers counties.
In 2006, the EAMC Parish Nurses collaborated with the J.W. Darden Foundation and the Auburn University School of Nursing to establish the Darden Community Wellness Center in the Darden House in Opelika. Since then, they have helped staff two comprehensive health fairs at the Darden House as well as free health seminars and blood pressure screens.
The Parish Nurses provide health education on a different topic each quarter, and students in the Auburn University School of Nursing check blood pressures and give flu shots or test blood sugars, depending on what topic is featured. Other groups participate as well, including the EAMC Diabetes and Nutrition Center, the Cancer Center of East Alabama (which provides free PSA tests for prostate cancer), and more.
In September 2009, the Parish Nurses and EAMC started providing weekly chronic disease management services at the Darden House on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until noon, and see patients with heart failure, hypertension and diabetes. Most patients are referred by EAMC, although walk-ins are welcome. The parish nurses check blood pressures, monitor glucose levels, and check weights and calf circumferences. They also offer health education and provide referrals to other area resources.
Darden House
The Darden House is the restored home of the late Dr. J.W. Darden, the first African-American physician to practice in the area. He built his home at 1323 Auburn Street in Opelika in 1904 and actually had a small clinic there. It has come full circle: in addition to being used for meetings for community groups, it serves as the Darden Wellness Center.
Each year, the East Alabama Medical Center Parish Nurse Program serves approximately 6,000 people in our communities, providing care, support, and health education.
For more information or if you have questions regarding your health, please email Holy Trinity’s Faith Community Parish Nurse, Carolyn Galli.
Plasma Donations Needed
East Alabama Medical Center is in great need of plasma donations for COVID-19 patients.
If you did not test positive or are unsure if you had COVID-19 in the past, you can donate whole blood at LifeSouth to get an antibody result. If a person is found to have COVID-19 antibodies during their whole blood donation, they can donate plasma seven (7) days later.
If you have had a positive antibody test or a positive COVID-19 test, a plasma donation can be scheduled. However, a positive COVID-19 test does not mean you will definitely produce antibodies. We have seen a few patients who tested positive for COVID-19, but then had a negative antibody test. Those who donate plasma can be assured, however, that their plasma will be used regardless of whether COVID-19 antibodies are present.
To donate, you must be symptom-free for 14 days and fully recovered from COVD-19. Appointments are required for plasma donation due to to the limited number of instruments on hand to complete this procedure. While walk-ins for whole blood donations are allowed, LifeSouth recommends that an appointment be made. Appointments can be made online at lifesouth.org or by calling LifeSouth at (334) 705-0884.
