Nov 10, 2003 By Jenny Susa 4 min read

In an effort to promote public health awareness and health screenings and make the community aware of health services available in the area, Preferred Primary Care Physicians will conduct its first annual health awareness fair this week. The event, given the theme “Your Health Ahead,” will take place at the South Union Volunteer Fire Department from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

According to Kathy Brooks and Veronica Thomas, clinical research coordinators at Preferred Primary Care Physicians, everything is free of charge.

Brooks and Thomas said participants can take advantage of free screenings for blood pressure, blood sugars, body mass index, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss and breast cancer risk, among other health screenings.

“Our primary goal is to increase the public awareness of several types of medical services that are available that they may not know about, as well as the importance of screenings,” said Thomas.

Exhibitors at the health fair include Preferred Primary Care Physicians, Uniontown Hospital, Nova Care, Valentine Pharmacy, Giant Eagle Pharmacy, American Heart Association, the Center for Organ Recovery (CORE), Fayette County 911, Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission, American Home Patient, American Ambulance, Central Blood Bank, Poison Control Center, Defelice Mobility Inc., American Red Cross, Fayette Home Care and the nursing department of Penn State Fayette Campus.

Brooks added that the nursing students are participating in the health fair as part of their community service credit. She also emphasized the importance of CORE’s participating in the event.

“The man that will be here from CORE is an actual heart transplant patient,” said Brooks. “It is great that he will be here to talk to people about organ donation, because Fayette County has the lowest percentage of organ donors in the state. People don’t really understand a lot about organ donation, and it is so important.”

Thomas said pharmacists will be available to answer any medication questions and pharmacist Alex Giobbi will speak on medication compliance.

She noted that several pharmaceutical companies will give out free items including pamphlets, pens, cookbooks and notepads. Baltimore Life Insurance will make identification cards for children and the elderly from noon to 3 p.m.

While Preferred Primary Care Physicians is the primary sponsor for the event, the South Union Township Volunteer Fire Department is helping to sponsor the health fair, providing their facility free of charge.

“We are trying to make this a positive experience for all involved,” said Thomas.

Brooks said she and Thomas both reinforced the idea that people of all ages are welcome to attend the health fair.

“When people arrive, we will have greeters at the door to give them a full list of sponsors and exhibitors, as well as a bag to carry all of the free materials they can pick up at the fair,” said Brooks. “From one side of the fire hall to the other they will be able to browse through everything that is available. With all of the free screenings that will be offered, it will be like a small well check and they can take any information they are interested in.”

Some of the tests will be given on worksheets, which participants can take home for other family members. The results of the tests will be written out for participants to take home with them, Brooks added.

“It is an excellent diagnostic tool for their doctors, and it is a good opportunity for people without insurance to find out their health risks free of charge,” she said. “As long as the health fair does well, we do plan to have it every year. …We’re hoping to draw a big crowd.”