ETMC helps you manage tough economy with free health fair

Saturday, May 23 at the Cain Center

 By Toni Garrard Clay

 With the dollar becoming tougher and tougher to stretch in the uncertain economic climate, ETMC Athens is happy to be able to provide Henderson County residents with a helpful and – perhaps most importantly these days – free health and fitness fair. ETMC Athens is once again teaming up with Cain Center to bring area residents the Henderson County Health & Fitness Fair, one of the most comprehensive health fairs to be found in East Texas.

Don’t miss the opportunity. Get your vision checked. Discover if you might be at risk for a stroke; get your blood pressure checked; and take advantage of many other health and fitness screenings.

The annual Health and Fitness Fair, sponsored by East Texas Medical Center Athens and Cain Center, will be held Saturday, May 23, from 8:30 a.m.-noon at Cain Center in Athens.

Screenings will be available at no charge. “The health fair really is a tremendous value for people who would like to take advantage of the many screenings offered and learn more about the healthcare options in the community,” said Christine Rutherford, affiliate marketing manager for the ETMC Regional Health Care System. “We do this solely as a community service.”

For more accurate results with the cholesterol and blood glucose testing, it is recommended that you fast for 12 hours before testing, limiting your intake to water and black coffee. Continue to take any medications as prescribed. Planned screenings included:

• Cholesterol and blood glucose testing;
• Pulmonary function screenings;
• Grip strength tests;
• Carotid artery screenings;
• Blood pressure checks;
• Vision screening;
• Heart rate checks;
• Pulse oximetry testing;
• Blood oxygen saturation check;
• Fall prevention information

“Those screenings alone are reasons to come,” said Rutherford, “but we also feel there’s no better time to offer people a wide range of health-related information under one roof. “It’s our way of saying thank you to the people of Henderson County. We want our neighbors to stay healthy or get healthier. The fair is just one way of reaching that goal.”