MidState Medical Center is pleased to announce that the hospital is extending its community outreach to the Southington Senior Center in its efforts to further the hospital’s commitment to community health and wellness. Jackie Hackbarth, RN, Clinical Coordinator of the MidState-affiliated LaPlanche Clinic located at the Meriden Senior Center, will provide blood pressure screenings, review patients’ medical history and give consultation, and offer other appropriate screenings.

Jackie will be available once a month, on Mondays, from 9:30 a.m. –11:30 a.m.. With a registered nurse at the senior center regularly, seniors will be able to obtain more comprehensive care. More promotional health activities are in the works for the future.

Hackbarth graduated as valedictorian from St. Francis School of Nursing and also holds a Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from St. Joseph’s College in North Windham, Maine. She is certified in Gerontological Nursing by the American Nurses Association.

In addition to her educational accomplishments, Hackbarth has also been a part of the Elderly Task Force of Healthy Meriden 2010 for over 10 years and helped to establish the Advisory Committee on Aging in Meriden. In her role at LaPlanche, Hackbarth has used her expertise to provide a wide range of services to seniors for over 20 years. “I just love working with seniors and helping to improve their quality of life,” says Hackbarth.

MidState’s dedication to promoting health and wellness in the community is certainly mirrored in the LaPlanche Clinic’s efforts, and with expansion to the Southington Senior Center, health education will soar.