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Home > Archive > Feb 21, 2008

Annual Health Fair Coming to DRMC
By Sharon May
Managing Editor
“Take it to Heart” will be the theme of the 2008 Dixie Regional Medical Center’s annual health fair, Feb. 23, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the River Road campus of the hospital.
Scott Monroe, hospital communication specialist, said the annual event, now in its 14th year, is part of the medical center’s nonprofit mission to provide excellent healthcare.
“The health fair is available so people can discover more about their personal health,” he said.
Although there is no admission charge to attend the fair, five of the available health screenings do have a small fee to cover the cost of testing, Monroe said.
Fees for the blood tests may be paid by cash, check or charge at the cashier’s office at the hospital at any time during the week before the fair. Advance payments for screenings is intended to keep waiting lines short during the fair.
Health care professional at the fair will perform other screenings and assessments, according to information from DRMC. Screenings and evaluations include: body composition analysis, blood glucose testing, a complete metabolic profile ($25 fee), colo-rectral kits ($1 fee), foot and ankle health screening, glaucoma checks, a Healthy Living (mental health) assessment, incontinence assessment, musculoskeletal assessment (including arthritis), nutritional counseling, osteoporosis screening, dizziness testing and oximetry reading.
Additional assessments available will be: a peripheral vascular disease (PVD) screening, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test ($15 fee), RESEP Clinic counsel for Downwinders, skin cancer screening, speech services, stroke assessment, wound consultations, lipid panel/cholesterol breakdown ($15 fee; fasting at least eight hours prior required), C-reactive protein/hs-CRP testing ($15 fee) and more.
The National Kidney Foundation will offer a free screening as part of its Kidney Early Evaluation Program, but an appointment is required, according to hospital information. Appointments for the kidney screening can be made by calling 1-800-869-5277 before the day of the fair.
Information from DRMC noted that many of the health screenings from its prior health fairs have been adjusted to benefit people of all ages.
“We want people to know these screenings are not just for adults,” Monroe stated in a press release. “As childhood obesity continues to be a major problem, it’s necessary to start doing screenings at an earlier age. It’s also important to teach children to live a healthy lifestyle, so we encourage parents to bring their children and use this as an opportunity to encourage them to live fit from a young age.”
In addition to screenings, sports medicine and other health-related information will be available to fair attendees.
Screenings will be offered in the public concourses on several levels of the hospital, on the lower level, and in the courtyard behind the hospital adjacent to the cafeteria.
“The health fair would not be possible without the dedicated people who volunteer their time to staff the screenings,” Monroe stated. “They put in a lot of work, and we’re thankful for their efforts.”
According to a DRMC press release, booths will include Dance Dance Revolution, Intermountain Healthcare’s LiVe program, safety displays, bicycle helmet giveaway (quantities limited), Phoenix Alliance – Youth Anti-Tobacco Rebellion, pig-lung anti-smoking demonstration and more.
Other informational booths will include: the Community Health Information Center, PRIME Senior Services, Intermountain Women’s Health Specialists, Hanger Prosthetics, Acceleration Sports Training, financial counseling, NAMI, Dixie Regional Volunteer Services, Southwest Utah Public Health Department, Healthy Dixie and the Safe Kids Coalition.
For more information about the fair, call the Community Health Information Center at (435) 251-2222. The River Road campus is located at 1380 E. Medical Center Drive in St. George. For directions, call (435) 251-1000.

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