Community Outreach provided by Mercer Health
Community Outreach designed to improve our Community's Health
Mercer Health is dedicated to educating and empowering all members of our community to help them live their healthiest lives. For this reason, we are proud to offer a variety of community activities, events and wellness programs.
Community Health Fairs & Clinics
Mercer Health provides year‑round opportunities for community members to stay proactive about their health through discounted lab testing, free and reduced‑cost health screenings, and seasonal vaccination clinics offered at convenient locations across the region. These efforts extend beyond preventive care to include community‑wide initiatives such as drive‑up flu shot clinics and Community Blood Drives, which help ensure a stable local blood supply and support the health needs of patients throughout our area.
Flu vaccines are also available by scheduling an appointment with your primary care provider, who can share additional details at the time of scheduling. If you do not have a primary care provider, please contact us at 567‑890‑MHMD (6463) for assistance.
Why donate? Blood donation is a community responsibility. While you’re reading this, a local patient needs blood.
Our blood supply comes from caring donors like you. It takes about one hour of your time. When you give blood, it gives someone another smile, another hug, another chance. It is the gift of life.
Learn more about how you can give blood and be a hero.
Community Health Education
Lifelong healthy living begins with a strong foundation—and at Mercer Health, education is key. Through our Education Services department, we offer a wide range of opportunities for individuals and families to learn more about wellness, safety, and specific medical situations. From seasonal classes to ongoing programs, our goal is to empower our community with knowledge and confidence.
Designed for children ages 10–12, this blended babysitter training class teaches safety, CPR and first aid basics, and how to care for infants and young children. Students complete part of the class online and part in person. Cost is $25.00 per student.
2026 Babysitter Training Class Registration
Held quarterly at Mercer Health West Campus, this free series features expert-led sessions on topics such as emotional eating, exercise motivation, protein nutrition, and healthy holiday habits. No RSVP is required. For details, call 419-678-8446.
Education Series Topics & Dates
Mercer Health offers two focused education opportunities for growing families. Our Childbirth Education Class helps families prepare for labor, birth, and the early postpartum period, including a guided tour of the Mercer Health Birthing Center. Our Breastfeeding Class provides evidence‑based guidance and support for those planning to breastfeed. For more information on either class, call 419-678-5363 or visit the Childbirth Center.
Register for our Childbirth Center Classes
Mercer Health’s Community Health 101 Series offers free educational sessions throughout the year at various locations across the region, giving community members the opportunity to learn from local healthcare professionals about a wide range of health and wellness topics. Designed to empower individuals with practical knowledge and preventive guidance, the series covers subjects such as chronic disease awareness, early detection, healthy living strategies, and other timely areas of community interest.
More information on our next Community Health 101
CPR Classes and First Aid programs can be customized to meet the health and wellness goals of individual organizations and their employees. We offer ongoing education and prevention programs provided by a team of expert health professionals through Mercer Health Occupational Health. Please contact Occupational Health at 419-586-1220 for more information.
Public CPR Classes are available on an as-needed basis by community request. The cost is $30.00 per person and includes a blended learning format with online instruction followed by an in‑person skills check. For more information, contact Mercer Health’s Education Coordinator at 419‑678‑5119.
Community Support Groups
Several Mercer Health service lines offer support groups designed to provide education, connection, and encouragement for individuals and families. Led by healthcare professionals, these groups create a welcoming space to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from others facing similar health journeys.
Additional details and upcoming support group dates
To register, contact the Center for Healthy Weight & Wellness at 419-678-8446.
View the Healthy Weight & Wellness Informational Seminar
Mercer Health 5K Challenge
The Mercer Health 5K Challenge is an exciting series open to everyone—from seasoned runners to those trying a 5K for the first time. Participants can enjoy a supportive, community‑focused environment while working toward their personal fitness goals. If you have questions about the event, races, incentives, or costs, our team is happy to help. Whether this is your first 5K Challenge or simply your first race of the year, we wish you the best on your journey.
Visit the Mercer Health 5K Challenge page for more detailsCommunity Speakers & School Support Programs
Mercer Health is proud to partner with local schools to offer meaningful educational opportunities for students of all ages. Through programs such as Play Hospital, kindergarten students are introduced to local healthcare in an engaging, age‑appropriate way, while high school students interested in healthcare careers can gain behind‑the‑scenes experience through Medical Explorers.
These efforts complement additional student‑focused opportunities offered by Mercer Health, including a Job Shadowing Program and several healthcare‑focused scholarships that support local students pursuing careers in the medical field.
In addition to school‑based programs, Mercer Health team members regularly participate in community events such as career fairs, public information sessions at local libraries, and educational presentations at area nursing homes and other organizations. If your class or group is interested in collaborating with Mercer Health, please contact myhealth@mercer-health.com.
Community Health Needs
Live Well Mercer County is a collaborative initiative led by dedicated volunteers and employees from community organizations and agencies across Mercer County. United by a shared commitment to improving local health and quality of life, the group works to understand and address the evolving needs of county residents.
A core component of this effort is the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)—a periodic, comprehensive evaluation of the county’s health status, challenges, and priorities. Insights from the CHNA are combined with additional data sources to guide the creation of the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The CHIP then serves as a strategic roadmap for action by establishing measurable benchmarks, identifying targeted goals, and outlining coordinated strategies designed to strengthen the overall health and well‑being of the Mercer County community.
Helpful Resources For Health Education
Remember, health information found on the links listed below is not a substitute for your primary care provider. Please discuss your health with your provider before acting on any information found here.
www.healthfinder.gov – Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to assist consumers in finding health information
www.heart.org – American Heart Association
www.healthychildren.org – American Academy of Pediatrics Parenting Website
www.cdc.gov – Center for Disease Control and Prevention
www.chemocare.com – A comprehensive resource for cancer patients and their caregivers that provides chemotherapy drug and side effect information, cancer wellness information, and links to additional reliable resources and organizations.
www.diabetes.org – American Diabetes Association
www.cancer.org – American Cancer Society
www.nih.gov – National Institute of Health
www.lung.org – American Lung Association
www.handsonlycpr.org – Hands-Only CPR video
www.nlm.nih.gov – Information about symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention for diseases, illnesses and health conditions.