Operation Health Check Faithful Talk About Benefits of the Program
 Since its beginning Operation Health Check has accumulated many loyal participants. People like A.J. and Dorothy Bussell of Solway, Ruth Moore of Greenback, and William and Marian Hopf of Halls look forward each year to Operation Health Check.
"We know a lot more now about our health than we did before," says Dorothy Bussell. "We didn’t know about cholesterol levels and things like that and what they mean. Now we watch what we eat better."
The Bussells take their Health Check results to their family doctor who makes copies for their files when they see him for their annual visits in September. "He also does blood work and we have blood comparisons twice a year," said Mrs. Bussell.
OHC even helped her solve a vision problem she was having. She had been diagnosed with glaucoma and was taking medication for it, but she was having trouble seeing. During a vision screening at an OHC the screener suggested she get a second opinion regarding the glaucoma. She did and discovered she didn’t have the disease after all. "I can see very well now that I’m not putting drops in my eyes, and I still don’t have glaucoma."
"I could talk a half a day about all the good things at Operation Health Check," says Ruth Moore. "It’s been a wonderful thing for me. I’ve been going 10 years; I’ll be 83 in September.
"I’m particularly interested in the fat analysis to help keep my weight down. I started out at 175 pounds, and now I’m down to 139. My blood pressure was also high and now it’s under control. My cholesterol was at 240; it’s down to 189." A former nurse and 1938 graduate of the Fort Sanders School of Nursing, she checks her own blood pressure regularly at home.
Mrs. Moore is very active at 82. She works out 20 minutes three to four times a week on her ski machine in her home. "I credit Operation Health Check for my good health," she says. "I was always physically active. I enjoy working in my garden, growing my own vegetables. But I wasn’t as committed to exercise as I am now."
"We began going to Operation Health Check in 1983," says Marian Hopf. "We just wanted to find out about our health. We were mostly interested in cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
"We discovered our cholesterol was too high. But through diet and exercise we got our cholesterol to acceptable levels without medication."
One screening indicated Mr. Hopf’s glucose level was too high, so he went to see his doctor. A change in diet solved the problem.
As a result of going to OHC they began a regular walking routine for exercise. William walks about 6 miles three to four times a week. Marian gets in about 2 and a half miles three to four times a week.
Mr. Hopf keeps records of their OHC results from year to year on their home computer. "He tracks them graphically, and one of the things we’ve noticed is that when his cholesterol level goes up, so does mine. It’s obviously related to diet," says his wife.
Mrs. Hopf said before they began going to OHC they didn’t monitor their health that closely. "We had always been in good health and just sort of drifted along."
But for 17 years they have taken an active role in managing their health. "We’ve enjoyed going to OHC at several different locations and we’ve been happy with the experience," says Mrs. Hopf.
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Operation Health Check Encourages Participants to "Get Pumped for a New Century of Better Health"
Operation Health Check has an 18-year history of providing annual health screenings in communities throughout East Tennessee but the program is looking ahead, not back. "Get Pumped for a New Century of Better Health" is the theme of this year's Health Check, which is sponsored by Covenant Health, the Knoxville News-Sentinel, WBIR-TV channel 10, and the American Red Cross. Chick-fil-A is also partnering with the program this year, making printed schedules available at area Chick-fil-A stores.
Free screenings offered at every site include blood pressure and resting heart rate, vision, and waist-to-hip ratio. Three blood chemistry profiles will also be available at each site unless otherwise noted. The blood chemistry profiles include a general Operation Health Check profile, a thyroid profile, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) profile. Each profile costs $20. For the OHC profile blood test a 12-hour fast is recommended, although your regular medication schedule should be followed.
The News-Sentinel will regularly publish OHC screening sites and dates. For those sites providing mammography, participants should call 541-1448 prior to the screening if they wish to schedule a mammogram. The fee is $81.00; insurance is accepted and filed onsite.
For more information or directions to sites call the Covenant Health Information Line at 541-4500. Site schedules may also be picked up at area Chick-fil-A stores.
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