Photo Provided Dr. Ron Williamson and Heather Saffle, BSN, Health Center Manager both from the Monroe Family Health Center stand with one of the new medical-grade refrigerators OHHS purchased with grant funds.

WOODSFIELD — The South Central Power Company Foundation awarded Ohio Hills Health Services a grant to purchase two medical-grade refrigerators to ensure potentially lifesaving vaccinations and medications are readily available for patients.

Medical-grade refrigerators are specifically designed to meet the demanding temperature requirements for safe vaccine storage.

One refrigerator will be located at the Monroe Family Health Center and the other at the Freeport Family Health Center. Both facilities serve medically underserved populations. Vaccines are especially important for these at-risk populations.

“We are grateful to the South Central Power Company Foundation for their generous support towards the purchase of the medical grade refrigerators,” said Heather Saffle, BSN, Health Center Manager, Monroe Family Health Center, OHHS. “The refrigerators guarantee the safe storage of vaccinations and medications. This year it is extremely important for the community to protect themselves against the flu and these refrigerators will assist us to meet this need.”

The American Medical Association said the flu vaccine this year “is more important than ever” for individuals to protect themselves and their community from influenza. The flu vaccination is part of a comprehensive public health strategy to reduce the incidence of flu in order to preserve scarce health care resources needed to respond to the pandemic.

“OHHS wants to thank the South Central Power Company Foundation for their commitment to the community and their willingness to give back,” said Jeff Britton, CEO, OHHS. “Their support makes a difference for the area residents that we serve.”

For additional information regarding the services provided at Ohio Hills Health Services, call 740-239-6447.