By Joan Tupponce 

Among the crowds of music lovers at Rappahannock River Park this past May, was a table set up with volunteers from VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital.   

These volunteers weren’t solely swaying to the soulful vibes at the Soul by the Rivah event – they were giving life-saving information to attendees.   

“Once we took their blood pressure, the door opened for us to educate or advise them,” said volunteer Tracy Keck.  

This was the first year Keck was part of the blood pressure screenings at the Tappahannock event, but it won’t be the last. She enjoyed the camaraderie and being able to lend a helping hand outside of the clinic.  

“If their blood pressure was elevated, we also gave them a free blood pressure monitor and instructed them on how to use it,” said Keck, who is a clinical coordinator in the Smell and Taste Disorders Center in VCU Health's Department of Otolaryngology. Volunteers, like Keck, also take down contact information to follow up and make sure participants are checking in with a provider about their high blood pressure readings.  

Outreach events, like Soul by the Rivah, give health care professionals the chance to meet people where they are — whether at home, school, church or elsewhere – and engage on their terms.   

“These events help build relationships within the community, as trust is a significant barrier in health care. By participating in community events, we can reduce some of the skepticism that individuals may have about health care,” said Cherylann Rocha, Community Engagement and Outreach program manager at VCU Health Pauley Heart Center.   

Building trust also allows health care providers to talk to people – who might not go to the doctor often – about the signs and symptoms of hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, and to have open conversations about diet and exercise.

These events help build relationships within the community, as trust is a significant barrier in health care. By participating in community events, we can reduce some of the skepticism that individuals may have about health care. 

Cherylann Rocha, VCU Health Pauley Heart Center

 While hypertension is associated with persistent and intense headaches, lightheadedness, fatigue, chest pain and irregular heartbeats – the condition is often called a "silent killer" because it often shows up unannounced.  

“While there are other symptoms that may occasionally appear, hypertension often shows no noticeable signs. This is one of the reasons why community screenings are so important,” Rocha said.  

Other medical conditions can be caused by hypertension, too, such as heart disease, kidney disease, stroke and vision loss.  

“Knowledge is power. Community members gain the necessary tools to evaluate their blood pressure, which opens the door for discussions on everyday strategies to help prevent hypertension,” Rocha said.   

Aside from the Soul of the Rivah, VCU Health team members organize blood pressure screenings throughout the region, often teaming up with locally sponsored health fairs, civic organizations, churches, school districts and public libraries to deliver care and share health information in accessible ways.  

Another benefit of bringing care to where people live and gather, Rocha says, is that health care professionals can learn about potential health problems facing residents. This information is necessary to tailor programs to better serve local needs.  

Diana Rice, who works in the lab at VCU Health Warsaw, has been volunteering at blood pressure screening events for several years.  

“I like going out in the community and helping those that may not have insurance or are under-insured and letting them know we are here for them,” she said.  

Rice and other volunteers counsel people who are just learning they have high blood pressure, helping to start a conversation about their next steps in a place where they feel comfortable. These opportunities not only empower residents with resources; they are also deeply rewarding for volunteers.   

“They may not know they are pre-diabetic or have high blood pressure,” Rice said. “It gives me satisfaction in knowing I am helping people.”  

Learn how VCU Health is addressing barriers and creating opportunities for our neighbors to lead healthy lives

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