Med Center, EMS, VA,Public Health Hosting Health Fair May 12-16
It’s all hands on deck at Lake City Area Medical Center, with assistance from Hinsdale County Emergency Medical Services, as in-house staff hosts this year’s annual Health Fair.In previous years, an outside agency coordinated the annual event and appointments were scheduled on just a single day. This year’s Health Fair, like last year’s, is being scheduled as a service to the community by the medical center staff and is by appointment at reduced rates from Monday, May 12, through Friday, May 16.Dental appointments with Dr. Quigley may also be scheduled at this time. He will be available Monday through Wednesday, May 12, 13 and 14 to provide free oral cancer screenings on those days. Interested parties are encouraged to call the medical center (970-944-2331) to schedule an appointment for screening.Other screenings include assessments for cardio-vascular disease, diabetes, memory, hearing, and vision, which will be offered by clinic staff from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13 and Wednesday, May 14.Throughout the length of the Health Fair, Monday through Friday, residents may sign up by prior appointment for blood draws, which will be taken from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. each day.Individual blood draws, priced at the discounted rate of $25 per draw, are in turn used for a plethora of tests, based on one blood draw for each test: PSA (prostate), CBC (complete blood count), CMP (complete metabolic panel), Liver Panel, Lipid Panel, TSH (thyroid), Ferritin (blood protein testing for iron), TICB (total iron binding capacity), A1C (hemoglobin), Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12.According to Lake City Area Medical Center board member Greg Olson, tables will be set up in the mornings all week with representatives from Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Medical Center, and Veterans’ Affairs.EMS Director Katherine Heidt will be demonstrating hands-only CPR on mannequins and Veterans’ Affairs Service Officer Mike Harrington will be there to answer questions about VA services available to residents and visitors.Something new this year from Silver Thread Public Health – representatives will be available to answer questions about the dangers of vaping and will also be unveiling a new system for disposing of vape cartridges.Vaping devices have batteries that are problematic when discarded into landfills, so Public Health is devising a system of disposal boxes for expired vape pens. There will be secure boxes throughout town at a number of locations where vaping equipment can be discarded for free to be properly recycled.Olson also wanted WORLD to know that Medical Center staff have been hard at work trying to secure funding for the Health Fair, and were able to secure a grant from the Colorado Health Foundation (CHF). “We are very fortunate,” Olson said, “to have the gracious sponsorship of CHF for this year’s Health Fair.”Olson also said that he hopes the Lake City community will take advantage of this opportunity, as “managing one’s health is so important, at all ages and stages of life.”“As a board member of the Lake City Area Medical Center, I’m proud of the incredible healthcare resources we have in our community. The upcoming Health Fair is a great opportunity to take control of your health with free screenings, low-cost blood work, and direct access to our EMS, VA, and Public Health teams. From hands-only CPR demos to safe disposal of vape cartridges, there’s something valuable for everyone.”“I look forward to seeing our community come together for this important event, “Olson said.
