2005 Press Releases
Hospital’s Annual Community Health Fair a Success ROME – Approximately 300 people attended Rome Memorial Hospital’s annual Community Health Fair on Saturday, April 2 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the hospital, said Director of Education Gale Barone, R.N., BS. The health fair featured free screenings for total cholesterol and glucose, colorectal cancer, depression, blood pressure, vision, hearing, body fat analysis and foot exam. “One of our busiest booths at this year’s health fair was Social Services, which featured information on advanced directives including living wills and health care proxies,” said Barone. “People were very interested in having a living will or health care proxy or understanding the directives they already have in place,” she added. Some participants watched demonstrations on how to use automated external defibrillators or how to do the Heimlich maneuver. Participants also picked up informational handouts on childhood obesity, sexual and domestic violence, osteoporosis, financial assistance and charity care, heart disease, substance abuse, Parkinsons Disease and breast cancer. A number of free samples and giveaways were also available. Information on careers in healthcare was also handed out. “Many of the people who attended cited the free screenings as the reason that they were there. Our community is recognizing the benefits of early detection, prevention, and assessing risk,” said Barone. With many of the diseases that cause disability and death, much can be done to prevent and manage them when they’re caught early, said Barone. To improve the quality of life of area residents, the hospital offers many other educational forums, including Health Night, Senior Live & Learn, Baby Care Basics, Breastfeeding, and Choose to Move said Barone. Deborah Tuttle, of Rome, said this was her first year attending the health fair. “My father’s a diabetic, so I wanted to get checked,” she said, as she completed an eye exam given by the Rome Lions Club and Dr. Joseph Femia. Participant Elizabeth Gratch said that she has been attending the health fair for years, as she received a free screening for total cholesterol and glucose. “I think it’s a great service for us,” said the Rome resident. “I think we’re very fortunate to have Rome Memorial Hospital do this for us. I’ve been here before and I’ll be here again,” she noted. People of all ages and healthcare specializations participated in the health fair. Fifteen-year-old Amethyst Lowry, a 9th grader, volunteered to help her mother, Rome Memorial Hospital mammographer Desiree Edgar, hand out literature. “I want to be a neurologist,” she said. “I volunteered to help people because I believe that helping people is something everyone should do.” Nursing students from Morrisville State College gave free blood pressure screenings. Some of the other community health providers that were featured at the health fair included the American Heart Association and the Central New York Parkinson’s Support Group. |
