Barbara Lund, left, has her blood presure checked by Sherry Gammon at one of the stations at last Saturday’s Health Fair at the Adams County Regional Medical Center.

Affordable medical services keeps fair-goers coming back – 

Story and photo by Patricia Beech – 

The Adams County Regional Medical Center (ACRMC) hosted their annual Health Fair on Saturday, April 1 with over 300 people attending the event.
The fair provided discounted medical services, and more than 30 vendors of health and lifestyle services were stationed in corridors throughout the hospital.
“The Health Fair is important because we’re trying to provide quality health care close to home at an affordable rate,” said Coordinator Kendra Fithen. “It’s a great opportunity for the community to come out and see the services we offer, plus it’s an opportunity for individuals who don’t always go to the doctor to come out and get blood work done and have their blood pressure checked at a rate they can afford.”
Health Fair participants could have a Comprehensive Blood Screening comprised of 19 separate tests for $25; a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test for $12; an HgbA1C test for diabetic patients for $10; and free blood pressure and osteoporosis screenings.
“Medical costs can be higher for people with insurance who haven’t met their deductible,” said Fithen. “We’re trying to help our community by lowering the cost of these services, as well as to give them some other free services such as blood pressure and heel screenings.”
Throughout the day a steady stream of people passed through the fair’s four blood pressure stations, nine blood drawing stations, and two heel scanners.
“This is my first health fair with the hospital and it’s appears to be very successful,” said Bill May, CEO of ACRMC. “People are very appreciative of the services we’re offering, and we really appreciate the community coming out. This fair gives us a chance to showcase the hospital for those people who haven’t been here before, and we hope it allows our community to have a better appreciation for what it is we do everyday.”
Kay Bolton, like many Health Fair participants, says she doesn’t see a physician regularly. “The fair is nice because I don’t go to the doctor often. I rely on the Great Physician, but there are times when you need earthly care and I think the fair is quite valuable for people like me.”
Volunteer Donna Davis agrees, “Health care is so important, and health fairs like this are so valuable for people who won’t normally go to the doctor for a check up because they will come here.”
The wide array of vendors offering medical and lifestyle information included: Auxiliary Snacks; Adams County Medical Foundation, Inc.; Adams County Regional Medical Center; Freedom From Smoking; Dr. Menon, Ohio Heart/Christ Hospital; Dr. Nick Woebkenberg; UC Medical; Adams County Health Department; Healthsource of Ohio; Nutrition; ABDEC; MEAC; Senior Life Solutions; Area Agency on Aging District 7; Reach for Tomorrow – Mental Health Organization; Shawnee Mental Health; FRS; Family Recovery; MEDPACE; Adams Recovery Center; Adams County Coalition, Prevention; Solace; ABCAP; ACRMC Rehab; Adams County Home Care; Professional Case Management Home care; Ohio Valley manor; Free Store Food Ban; The Christ Hospital; Life Center Organ Donor Network; Nuclear Care Partners; Hospice of Hope; Adams County Manor; and Genesis.
“I love the community interaction here at the fair,” said vendor Anita Evans. “When health care combines with the community it produces a better lifestyle for everyone, and this event gives you an idea what’s out there for folks who are looking for the health care they need, for themselves and their families.”
Vendors like Jan Lucas, who represents the Adams Recovery Center, see the fair as a resource and an opportunity to reach out to addicted persons and their families.
“After being in this field for 30 years, I can tell you not enough people know about recovery,” Lucas said. “We’re here to let people know help is available.”
The Health Fair was for all age groups, and did not require participants to be residents of Adams County.