Tucked into the back of Lincoln Pharmacy in Millvale is a brown door and a small blue-and-white sign that reads: Wellness Center.

Inside, Registered Nurse Nancy Wadsworth chats with one of the 10 to 12 people who visit the center every Tuesday as she checks the patient's blood pressure and pulse.

"[The doctor is] going to be happy about this," she says, referring to the positive results of the checkup.

Blood pressure screenings and pulse checks are just some of the free services the center offers every Tuesday to anyone who comes in the door. The staff also conducts depression screenings, gives flu shots and refers patients to other medical facilities.

The center was serving patients at its location on North Avenue in September 2004 when it -- and much of the rest of Millvale -- was devastated by flooding caused by what was left of Hurricane Ivan.

After it was flooded, the center relocated to a couple of sites before Lincoln Pharmacy owner Jennifer Cohen donated space in the back her business on North Avenue.

In December, the Wellness Center opened there, with an entrance off Lincoln Avenue, continuing its 15-year operation as a ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis in Millvale.

Sister Lorraine Wesolowski said it's important to reach people who might not otherwise be able to get medical care, particularly those who are under insured or have no medical coverage at all.

"It gives us an opportunity to give them the screening, to inform them that they need to see a doctor, that they need to go to an emergency room, if we can refer them to someplace," said Sister Lorraine, a liaison to the general leadership for ministries of the Sisters of St. Francis.

Most of the patients are elderly people who walk in from the neighborhood, but a few come by car from nearby towns.

Mrs. Wadsworth wants to get the word out that anyone, regardless of age or income, is welcome.

"My goal is that we reach the younger people in this community. That's where the blood pressure and cholesterol problems start," said Mrs. Wadsworth, who holds both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in nursing and has who has worked at the center since October. The center is operated under the Sisters of St. Francis parish nurse program through Mercy Hospital.

Working at the center has been a welcome change of pace for her because her background is in emergency medicine.

"It's a little different in the respect that we're not pushing patients through rapidly. We're really taking the time to talk to them and find out what their needs are," she said.

The time spent talking, she said, is important.

"A lot of time, they share sad stories. Just the idea of them being able to speak about it to someone helps to lift their spirits and encourage them, which is really wonderful," she said.

The center makes referrals for services other than health care. The staff might send a patient to legal counsel or help someone figure out what person to talk to about a gas bill.

"We try to do as much as we can to help those who really have no other means of health care or a limited amount," Sister Lorraine said.

The sisters also sponsor the Spirit of Health van, which travels the area to bring the center's services to people. The van is sponsored by Mercy Hospital and Duquesne University's Mylan School of Pharmacy.

"I think it's something we're called to do as Christians, as a religious congregation, to reach out to people beyond ourselves," Sister Lorraine said. "I think that's the call of religious communities. How do we best help our brothers and sisters?"

One place the Spirit of Health van visits is the Polish Hill Senior Center.

As Mrs. Wadsworth conducted screenings and handed out free first-aid kits at the senior center, she listened intently to each patient.

Some have seen her regularly; others are first-time visitors. She can see 20 patients in just a few hours at the senior center because the patients are gathered in one place.

Laughing and storytelling complemented the medical procedures, and Mrs. Wadsworth's professional relationships often have turned into friendships.

"I'm really amazed how you are suddenly adopted by them," she said. "I think I have a lot of grandparents, aunts and uncles that I didn't have before."

One of those might be James King, a daily visitor to the Polish Hill Senior Center.

"You're a good nurse. You put me at ease," he told Mrs. Wadsworth.

"I tell her my deepest secrets," he added, laughing. "I told her everything I should or shouldn't have, maybe."

The Wellness Center is behind Lincoln Pharmacy, 232 North Ave., Millvale, with an entrance off Lincoln Avenue. It is open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesdays. Services are free and open to all. For more information, call 412-526-8545.

A major fund-raiser for the medical services provided by the Sisters of St. Francis is a golf tournament, which this year will be held Aug. 4 at Treesdale Country Club in Pine. For information or to register, call 412-821-2200, ext. 217.