County health fair is next Saturday
By JENNIFER WILSON
News editor
Get ready to get healthy.
"On Target to Good Health" is the theme for this year's 2003 Marion County Health Fair, set for next Saturday, April 26, at the Tabor College campus recreation center. Activities begin at 8 a.m.
The fair, which takes place every other year, alternates between Marion and Hillsboro. This year is Hillsboro's turn to host the event, and it's organized by the Hillsboro Community Medical Center and St. Luke Hospital of Marion.
Nearly 30 organizations have bought booth space for the event, including nearly every health care provider or company in the county, said Marsha Setzkorn-Meyer, public relations representative for HCMC.
This is the third ever countywide health fair, said Setzkorn-Meyer and HCMC CEO Mike Ryan. Hillsboro held its own fair from 1997 to 1999, and 2000 was the first joint event between the Marion and Hillsboro hospitals.
In the past, the fair's main draw has been the reduced-price blood work done by labs from both St. Luke and HCMC. For a reduced fee visitors can have their blood drawn and tested for HDL and LDL cholesterol, blood sugar, electrolytes, and kidney function, Ryan said. Participants will have their results mailed to them, and no insurance information is required or filed.
Another big draw is the free prostate screenings for men over 40 years old. Valentin Tandoc, a part-time doctor at HCMC, and Wilmar Rodriguez, a part-time doctor at St. Luke, are offering the physical exams free of charge, Setzkorn-Meyer said. Men must have a PSA blood test done in advance of the exam, for a fee, and they'll get their complete results at the fair. They have to complete both bloodwork and physical, she said.
To schedule the screening, contact Tandoc at Hillsboro or Rodriguez at Marion.
The Marion County Health Department will also be represented with a booth.
At the department's booth, visitors can have a quick finger stick and find out their blood sugar and hemoglobin amount — to find out if they're anemic, said director Jan Moffitt. They can also have their blood pressure checked.
County residents who get their water from wells can bring in a sample for nitrate testing, bicycle helmets will be available for $8, and a demonstration will show how to properly install baby car seats, she said. A volunteer can even check your car if you ask.
A big draw will probably be the coupon good for $5 off the hospitals' blood testing. The coupons are available for those ages 65 and older, and there are about 80 to go around, Moffitt said. Pick one up at the health department booth.
The health fair will run through the early afternoon. For more information, contact HCMC at 947-3114 or St. Luke at 382-2177.
