About Us
The Community Cardiovascular Council is a non-profit, voluntary health agency concerned with high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack. We serve Chatham and Effingham Counties.
Our Office
1900 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 232-6624
History
The problem of cardiovascular disease remains one of the greatest public health problems facing the nation today. Because Chatham County and the surrounding area had one of the highest incidences of cardiovascular disease in the nation (more than half of the deaths in Chatham County occurred from cardiovascular disease), the Community Cardiovascular Council was organized and incorporated in June 1969 to address the problem.
Its objectives are to combine and coordinate the capabilities and physical facilities of the community and to develop cooperative arrangements for successful programs for education, detection, treatment and rehabilitation in cardiovascular disease. Its members are representatives from agencies and organizations interested in health care. The Community Cardiovascular Council’s existence is largely due to the support it has received from state and local government, St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System, United Way, as well as private contributors.
Clinic Services and Treatment History
Because treatment goes hand in hand with the prevention of cardiovascular disease, the Council opened the Blood Pressure Clinic during the summer of 1973 for treatment and prevention of the risk factors related to heart disease and stroke. In order to avoid duplication of services in the area, the Blood Pressure Clinic was aimed at those persons of moderately low income level who did not qualify for various clinics or other medical services, and who could not afford treatment and the cost of medication without some assistance. The partial-pay clinic fees were based on family income, resulting in a sliding fee scale.
The clinic staff provided patients with diagnosis, treatment and medication as well as a broad range of educational and social services. In addition, the medical staff educated and assisted patients with the risk factors of cardiovascular disease, which are obesity, smoking, lack of exercise, stress, high fat diets and others.
Education and Screening
In an effort to educate the community and work to prevent cardiovascular disease, the Council began an ongoing health education program in the spring of 1972. Actress Patricia Neal was invited to help kick off the mass community program with the showing of her film, Stroke-Counter Stroke, which documents Ms. Neal’s stroke recovery.
Because of the high incidence of cardiovascular disease in Chatham County, the Council also launched an ongoing community blood pressure screening program in the spring of 1972. The program’s purpose was to detect high blood pressure, and get persons in risk into treatment. The Council continues its efforts to screen individuals throughout the community.
To find out more about our educational services, call us at (912) 232-6624.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitating a stroke victim is a difficult and expensive task. In the spring of 1975, a day care center for the rehabilitation of stroke patients was established at the old Georgia Infirmary Hospital site in Savannah, later to be named the Georgia Infirmary Day Center for Rehabilitation. Funds were provided by the Council, Candler Hospital and the Infirmary. After one year, it was totally independent of the financial help of the Council. The Council now serves as a liaison to the facility. The Council has also assisted the Georgia Infirmary in establishing a cardiac rehabilitation program.
Effingham County
Beginning in 1984, the Community Cardiovascular Council organized a volunteer and treatment program in neighboring Effingham County. This program is based on the Chatham County “community council” structure, and serves as an example of volunteers working together to improve the quality of life for the entire community. The Community Cardiovascular Council of Effingham meets once a month and provides community education and blood pressure screening in various settings, along with operating the Blood Pressure Clinic in Rincon. As in Chatham County, the Community Cardiovascular Council of Effingham is supported by state government, the United Way, and local donations.
Volunteer Program
The Community Cardiovascular Council is a community volunteer project; indeed, all members of the Council are volunteers. The underlying philosophy of the Council is based on community involvement through voluntary participation in all Council activities. Volunteers are active in the Blood Pressure Clinic, screening and detection projects, in public education activities, in administrative activities and in many other programs.
We need you, and you need us! Please volunteer today to assist with screenings and other Council endeavors. For more information about volunteering in Savannah, call (912) 232-6624, or in Effingham County, call (912) 826-2608.
A Community Council
The concept of a community council or coalition is the heart of the success of the Community Cardiovascular Council. Working together, many groups and individuals truly become greater than the sum of their parts. Here is a list of some of our community members:
The Chatham and Effingham County Health Departments
The Georgia Medical Society
The Mayor and Alderman of the City of Savannah
The Chatham County Commission and Chairman
St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System
Memorial University Medical Center
Savannah Fire Department
The Kidney Foundation
The Black Male High Blood Pressure Coalition
Armstrong Atlantic State University
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
Georgia State Senators and Representatives
African American Health Resource Center
Chatham County Board of Education
Make a Donation to Our Work
The Community Cardiovascular Council is a non-profit organization that depends on donations to continue our community service programs.
Send checks to:
Community Cardiovascular Council, Inc.
1900 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31401
Att: Molly Knox
