The Community Health Fair is a great opportunity to engage with local health services and utilize free resources that can help anyone move towards a healthier lifestyle.
On March 16, the Community Health Fair will be held in the East Hall of the Winnemucca Convention Center from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will have a wide array of medical and health vendors that provide important services.
Humboldt General Hospital (HGH) Community Outreach and Marketing Director JoAnn Casalez explained in an email that “The primary objective of this community event is to proactively engage individuals who may not typically prioritize their health assessments. By creating a welcoming environment, we aim to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and the community, fostering open dialogue and facilitating access to essential health services.”
The event is free for the community and HGH, recognizing that many are burdened with high insurance deductibles, is offering lab tests at a flat rate of $55, including a metabolic panel, lipid panel, complete blood count, hemoglobin A1c, and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test. An option for preventive care for conditions such as prostate cancer will also include the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test for an additional $10.
“By democratizing access to these vital screenings and services, we’re empowering individuals to take proactive steps towards safeguarding their health and well-being, irrespective of financial constraints,” said Casalez.
Over 25 vendors are participating in the event and many will have interactive booths and great information available for everyone, including children and adults.
“This event is designed to be family-friendly… We’re pleased to announce the presence of family medicine and pediatric specialists, ensuring comprehensive healthcare support tailored to both adults and children. By fostering interactive experiences and providing access to specialized medical professionals, we’re dedicated to promoting not only individual well-being but also nurturing a sense of community health and wellness among families attending the event,” said Casalez.
The span of vendors will be diverse and represent not only local agencies but agencies form around the state including the Nevada Cancer Coalition (NCC). Other participants will include groups like Donor Network West, Family Support Center, local dentists, VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, Genesis, Red Cross, local law enforcement, and the community can count on engaging with interactive booths and health talks with HGH’s nutrition team, orthopedic services, pediatrics, radiology, and many more HGH providers.
“We’ve found that community health fairs are a fantastic source of connection—not only social connection, but also connection to important and often unknown social and health-related resources. That’s true not just for the community-members that attend the health fairs, but for organizations that have booths at the events. We’re a statewide nonprofit and we can’t be in every community all the time, so attending community health fairs allows us to learn from rural communities while also sharing information on cancer prevention and early detection and cancer resources,” said NCC Cancer Survivorship Programs Manager Amy Thompson in an email.
Medical services, such as labs and tests, are not the only type of services that play a vital role in not only an individual’s health, but the health of the whole community. Groups such as Age and Dementia Friendly-Winnemucca (ADF-Winnemucca) will also be participating and have information about their free programs that support individuals with dementia or other cognitive disabilities and families and caretakers.
“The Health Fair is one of the best events of the year! Not only can I get a blood test and basic medical check-up, there are vendors from across the county and state…I have met new friends and recruited volunteers each year and I am certain this will happen again,” said Gini Cunningham, Project Coordinator for Respite, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness, and ADF-Winnemucca, in an email.
According to Casalez, this opportunity allows educational engagement and the strengthening of the community’s ties to adequate health resources that have the potential to connect them to preventative care and things alike that could potentially save lives, regardless of socioeconomic status, all with an intentional and joyful approach.
Prizes have been gathered for a special raffle event with prizes like a Nespresso machine, Oregon Duck Softball tickets, a Smartwatch, and over-the-ear BEATS and everyone has a chance to win a great prize.
“At Humboldt General Hospital, we’re thrilled about this upcoming opportunity to host a free community health fair! It’s not just about check-ups and lab work; it’s about sparking conversations, fostering connections, and empowering everyone to take charge of their well-being in a fun and engaging way. In a world where costs seem to rise at every turn, keeping this event free while offering low-cost labs is our way of giving back to the wonderful community we serve. We believe that access to quality healthcare shouldn’t come with a hefty price tag, and we’re excited to make that a reality for everyone. So mark your calendars-March 16th- and join us for a day filled with health tips, interactive booths, amazing door prizes! Together, let’s show that prioritizing health can be both rewarding and enjoyable. See you there!” said Casalez.