In a large multi-county effort to get free health care and support to hundreds of people who need it in our communities, AdventHealth and the local Seventh Day Adventist churches hosted the first annual Day of Wholeness. The event was dedicated to whole-person care, community healing and embodied the shared mission of AdventHealth and the Adventist Church: to extend the healing ministry of Christ into our communities.
Six local Adventist churches in Highlands and Hardee Counties, along with community members and AdventHealth team members from AdventHealth Sebring, Wauchula and Lake Placid gathered for a Sabbath worship service at the Alan Jay Wildstein Performing Arts Center at South Florida State College.
The service was followed by multiple health fairs across the counties at Sebring Circle Park, AdventHealth Lake Placid, AdventHealth Wauchula and Union Church in Avon Park. People could get diabetes screening & education, hypertension screening (BP, weight, BMI), skin checks, pediatric health services, women’s health services, and more. Doctors held talks about a variety of health conditions and explained what people need to watch out for. Hundreds of bags of fresh produce were also given out for free at the events. The Union Church site in Avon Park hosted a food distribution event in partnership with the United Way’s End Hunger initiative and Hands for the Homeless, where nearly 13,000 pounds of food were given out to help feed more than 1,000 people in need.
“This day beautifully reflects our commitment to extend the healing ministry of Christ in our community.” AdventHealth Sebring, Wauchula and Lake Placid President and CEO Jason Dunkel said. “By collaborating with local churches and volunteers, we delivered essential health care at no cost, while also fostering hope, compassion, and community connection. We’re deeply grateful to serve the Highlands and Hardee County communities and honored to provide whole-person care to the people who make this region so special.”
AdventHealth Sebring, Wauchula and Lake Placid plan to hold this event annually moving forward. To learn more about what health care services AdventHealth offers in the Highlands and Hardee County areas, click here.
