On Saturday, Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi will offer a state-wide health disparity initiative that we have affectionately termed P.E.A.R.L.

Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi is a state-wide nursing organization with chapters in Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo, Greenville and Natchez.

The organization is named for Mrs. Eliza Farish Pillars, the first black nurse hired by the Mississippi State Board of Health in 1926.

We have been in existence since 1985. EPRNM is committed to promoting distinguished community leadership and partnering with other organizations to provide health care education and other community services.

It is our goal to make a measurable impact in decreasing health disparities among African Americans in the great state of Mississippi.

We hope to accomplish this by facilitating a statewide initiative focusing on: Prevention, Early detection, Advocacy, Referral and Living Healthy.

In February, the membership of our organization was surveyed to identify the top four most serious health issues that affect African Americans. The results of the survey identified obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke as areas of most concern.

This initiative will be different form other health fairs. If participates as identified as “at risk,” they will be referred to a local medical practitioner or provider and followed-up by EPRNM nurses, to ensure compliance and measurable outcomes.

It is our hope that data collected will reveal that this organization played a vital role in decreasing health disparities in our communities.

Partnering with us in this endeavor is Winn Pharmacy, Jefferson County Comprehensive Health Center, ASU Family Clinic, Yolanda Chandler, RN, CFNP and Evelyn Peters, social worker.

So with all that said, everyone is invited to come over to Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church’s education building at 228 Martin Luther King Jr. St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for your free health screening, mini education sessions, refreshments and door prizes.

For more information, call 601-807-0454.

Norma West, RN is the Health Initiative Chairperson for the Natchez Chapter of EPRNM.