2017 Health Fair a Resounding Success
April 2017 - With the long winter coming to a close and temperatures finally warming up many of us are looking for a way to offset cabin fever and this year's Health Fair was the perfect excuse to get out of the house and visit with ones neighbors - all while learning about how to be the healthiest 'you' ever.
Lab Director, Deci Acuna, reported that 480 residents took part in the Health Fair blood draws in March with over of 1600 different tests being run by herself and the two lab techs - Roxanna Coblentz and Kayla Blanchard. Wrangellites saved between $103.17 (HA1c) and $1,388.50 (Health Profile) per test for a total savings to the community of over $809,000.
Well over 500 Wrangellites participated in the Health Fair, though an exact number is always hard to pin down. "With folks coming and going through two doors and often returning with family members, it's hard to get an exact count, but we did give out 370 adult bags and 89 children's bags, and not everyone takes a bag so we're sure we saw more than 500 visitors," explained Health Fair committee member Kris Reed.
Out of town vendors say this is one of the most diverse and largest health fairs around the state. "I'll be headed to Fairbanks again in a few weeks for their health fair and I don't recall seeing as many participants in that health fair," noted a representative of one of the flight services. Others who were attending for the first time realized they would need even more goodies and information next year.
Children in attendance who filled out the 'scavenger hunt' game card named the WMC children's nursing booth as their favorite, but many others including the library, AICS' Teddy Bear Clinic and Dental, WMC Dietary and Activities and IGAP were close runners up.
At a wrapup meeting early in the week following the Health Fair, folks were busy planning tweaks and changes which will help next year's Health Fair (slated to be held Saturday, April 7, 2018) be even better yet.
"This is such a community event - both in terms of folks who come out to enjoy the Health Fair and those who work to make it successful," notes Reed, "we are so appreciative of the many, many hours that our vendors, staff and committee put into it each year. Thank you all!"
Lab Director, Deci Acuna, reported that 480 residents took part in the Health Fair blood draws in March with over of 1600 different tests being run by herself and the two lab techs - Roxanna Coblentz and Kayla Blanchard. Wrangellites saved between $103.17 (HA1c) and $1,388.50 (Health Profile) per test for a total savings to the community of over $809,000.
Well over 500 Wrangellites participated in the Health Fair, though an exact number is always hard to pin down. "With folks coming and going through two doors and often returning with family members, it's hard to get an exact count, but we did give out 370 adult bags and 89 children's bags, and not everyone takes a bag so we're sure we saw more than 500 visitors," explained Health Fair committee member Kris Reed.
Out of town vendors say this is one of the most diverse and largest health fairs around the state. "I'll be headed to Fairbanks again in a few weeks for their health fair and I don't recall seeing as many participants in that health fair," noted a representative of one of the flight services. Others who were attending for the first time realized they would need even more goodies and information next year.
Children in attendance who filled out the 'scavenger hunt' game card named the WMC children's nursing booth as their favorite, but many others including the library, AICS' Teddy Bear Clinic and Dental, WMC Dietary and Activities and IGAP were close runners up.
At a wrapup meeting early in the week following the Health Fair, folks were busy planning tweaks and changes which will help next year's Health Fair (slated to be held Saturday, April 7, 2018) be even better yet.
"This is such a community event - both in terms of folks who come out to enjoy the Health Fair and those who work to make it successful," notes Reed, "we are so appreciative of the many, many hours that our vendors, staff and committee put into it each year. Thank you all!"
