MedWest Health System will be a sponsor for the Senior Expo & Health Fair April 28 in Franklin. The free event will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Macon County Community Facilities Building.

The Senior Expo & Health Fair will provide seminars, health screenings, entertainment and refreshments. Physical and occupational therapists from MedWest- Franklin will provide information on rehabilitation services available locally. MedWest will also offer information about hospice services for patients across the region.

Millions of Americans are striving to deal with the economic downturn, loss of jobs, foreclosures, high cost of gas, and the rising cost of prescription drugs. Charles Myrick, president of American Consultants Rx, has announced the re-release of the American Consultants Rx community service project which consist of millions of free discount prescription cards being donated to thousands of not-for-profits, hospitals, schools, churches, etc. in an effort to assist the uninsured, under insured, and seniors as they deal with the high cost of prescription drugs. One of the main locations in the Franklin area that received an initial donation of free prescription cards, is the Macon County Public Health Center. The American Consultants Rx discount prescription cards are to be given free to anyone in need of help curbing the high cost of prescription drugs.

MedWest Health System has expanded its administrative leadership team, naming a chief medical officer to oversee medical staff activities for the three hospitals within the system.

Tyson Smith, M.D. most recently served as vice president for medical affairs at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, W.Va. At MedWest, he will oversee quality and performance improvement education and leadership development activities of the medical staff, which includes 230 physicians serving a five-county region.

“Dr. Smith’s knowledge and experience will be very beneficial for providing guidance in compliance and regulatory matters, and is a welcome addition to our leadership team,” said Mike Poore, president and CEO of MedWest Health System.

Angel Medical Center, along with the Town of Franklin, recently received funds from the state that have spurred job growth and broadened local access to health care.

The grants were matched with an equal amount of funds by the hospital for renovations, in order to be eligible to receive 50 percent toward job creation. The renovations and job creation would be a benefit to the tax base for the Town of Franklin.