Sentara community health ambassadors share blood pressure message in Suffolk

For six months, churches across Suffolk, Va. participated in Sentara's faith-based blood pressure program to learn about hypertension, nutrition, medication management, and everyday factors that influence heart health.

As part of the program, Sentara installed blood pressure kiosks in 10 local churches, providing free and convenient access to screenings in trusted community settings.

Recently, participating congregants attended a celebration marking completion of the program and reflected on what they learned and how they plan to put that knowledge into action.

For participant Gail Bess, one of the biggest lessons was the importance of self-advocacy.

"I always have a list of questions, and my doctors are ready for them," Bess said with a smile. "Ask questions even if you know the answer, so your doctor knows you're concerned about you, that you're not just another patient."

Bess said the program reinforced her commitment to learning as much as possible about her health and applying what she learned.

"I didn't want to come in here and learn and not do anything, especially when these people took their time to come here on Sunday and share."

Some changes were surprisingly simple. After switching from salted chips to unsalted chips, Bess saw her blood pressure drop by 10 points. She also started paying closer attention to nutrition labels and sodium content in the foods she eats.

Beyond the numbers, Bess said her motivation comes from wanting to enjoy life as fully as possible.

"Someone said to me, 'Well, we're all going to die.' And I'm not going to dispute that," she said. "But while I'm waiting, I want to feel good. I want to feel mobile. I want to feel flexible. I want to be strong."

At 98 years old, Leonora Jones attended every session alongside her son, Elliott.

"I enjoyed the whole thing," Jones said. "It is most important that we go somewhere where information is given, because we can walk around not knowing."

Her son said the sessions helped him better understand his mother's medications and health conditions, giving him greater confidence as a caregiver.

"I have a better understanding of how important a combination of medications is to her overall health and quality of life," he said. "I know more now than I did before."

Jones said she has made adjustments to her diet and daily habits and appreciates better understanding the reasons behind those changes.

"I'm enjoying the food, and I can deal with it because I know it's going to help me," she said.

Her enthusiasm served as a reminder that improving health and learning new habits can happen at any age.

According to Sentara Medical Group Nurse Educator Kim Sipos, education was the foundation of the program.

"We explained risk factors, demonstrated home monitoring techniques, and helped participants develop wellness goals," Sipos said.

Jones, middle, shares her story with the room. Her son holds a microphone. Bess is pictured far left.

The initiative also connected participants with a community-based hypertension research study led by Dr. Jennifer May, manager of clinical research at Sentara, and regional partners. The study examines the impact of home blood pressure monitoring, telehealth support, and social factors such as transportation, employment, and stress on blood pressure control.

More than 300 people have enrolled in the broader research effort, with Western Tidewater churches now expanding participation throughout the region. With new knowledge, stronger support networks, and tools available within their churches, participants are stepping into a new role as community health ambassadors.

For program organizers, that was always the goal: not simply educating individuals but equipping trusted community members to help improve health outcomes for families, congregations, and neighborhoods in the communities Sentara serves.