Patient and Family Services

Community Council

The Hendrick Cardiovascular Care Community Council is comprised of a diverse group of Abilene citizens who have had personal experience with some type of cardiovascular disease or condition. The Council meets on a quarterly basis and members provide valuable input and direction to the development of programs and services, in Cardiology, to address the reality of cardiovascular disease in our community.  The first-hand experience of the members is a valuable tool to help cater to the needs of the patients and the community. Many of the members also volunteer with patients experiencing heart issues as they are in the hospital. Some visit patients throughout the cardiac units, while other council members serve as volunteers in the Heart Center, interacting with families whose loved ones are having procedures.  This council serves as a support system for the community as well as a voice for the cardiac patients at Hendrick Medical Center.

A Day to Take Heart

Hendrick Cardiovascular Care encourages all community members to take care of their hearts during our annual event, A Day to Take Heart. The event offers free health screenings, consultations and educational information.

The annual event is held each year in February as part of an effort to raise awareness of the importance of cardiovascular health during American Heart Month. Currently, cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States.

“With the high numbers of cardiovascular disease in our country, we want every person in our community to have the knowledge and information they need to live a healthy lifestyle and have healthy hearts,” said Stephanie Jones, RN, nurse manger for Hendrick Cardiovascular Care. “A Day to Take Heart is one of many ways Hendrick cares for hearts in our community.”

At the event, participants will receive free cholesterol and glucose screenings, blood pressure and body mass index measurements, cardiac risk assessment, hearing screening, lung screening, carotid artery screening, and information for colon cancer screening.

Certified cardiac nurses and diabetes educators will be on hand to offer free, private consultations for each participant’s results and to assist with follow-up recommendations. Educational information and materials from numerous Hendrick services also will be offered to participants, with representatives from the services available to answer questions.

Non-invasive Cardiology staff participates in Hendrick-sponsored health fairs which offer testing to the public to identify potentially life-threatening carotid artery disease, hypertension, and arterial occlusive disease.