Hardin County backs men’s health screening event and approves leased office space in Silsbee

Hardin County Commissioners Court on May 13 adopted a proclamation naming June 2025 Men’s Health Month and designated May 13, 2025 as Gift of Life Men’s Health Awareness Day, and the court approved a lease renewal with Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas for office space at 603 FM 418 West, Suite G4, Silsbee.

Norma Sampson, executive director of Gift of Life, and representatives from the Hardin County Health Department told the court they will move screening services this year to the Lumberton Dome to expand capacity after heavy turnout last year. The screenings will be free and include on‑site physician consultations and a new A1C test among other services; participants will receive a $25 Jason’s Deli gift card. The county health director and Gift of Life representatives encouraged businesses, churches and health providers to partner for a broader community event.

Separately, the court authorized a lease renewal with Baptist Hospital for the Silsbee office space; county staff said the lease will be funded 100% with grant funds and that Baptist agreed to a nominal $1 lease to maintain local services including WIC and vaccination availability in Silsbee.

Why it matters: the screening event expands access to preventive services for men in Hardin County, and the lease renewal keeps public health services available in the Silsbee area using grant funds.

Discussion: Gift of Life and health department staff described outreach and registration (phone number given during the meeting) and said walk‑ins are accepted but registration is encouraged. Commissioners thanked the organizations and Baptist Hospital for supporting local health access.