Health fair draws capacity crowd

Cathy Binstock, CON Mobile Nursing Unit, exams the feet of Cheryl Buffkins.

The Eighth Annual Health Fair and Screenings, held March 25 at North High School, has evolved into one of the best attended community health fairs in Nebraska.

Sponsored by the Black Family Health and Wellness Association, the 2006 Health Fair drew more than 700 registered participants in the screenings, scores of volunteers and on-lookers, and more than 75 vendors and health screening stations.

“We had 138 people waiting in line when we opened the doors at 8 a.m. and we registered those 138 people in 12 minutes,” said Wayne Houston, North Omaha community liaison for UNMC Community and Multicultural Affairs and president of the Black Family Health and Wellness Association. “This alone testifies to how well this health fair is anticipated in this community and how well our volunteers handle the traffic.

“This health fair is not just for African Americans – we draw all kinds of people. They come because each year we have the widest range of free health screenings available, and the people appreciate our organization and ability to get everybody through every screening they select.”

There is now a waiting list each year for vendors because of the high demand for a spot at the fair, Houston said. The space provided by North High School is filled to capacity, but there are no thoughts of moving to a larger facility.

Registered nurse Ellen Trumble, CON Mobile Nursing Unit, center, with Constance Carr, left, and Lynette McCowen.

“We have no plans to move out of North High School,” Houston said. “The community has embraced North High School as its family school and our event is as much a kind of annual reunion for a lot of people as it is a health opportunity. This was our goal – create an annual family event that, in addition to health services, gathered people for the fun of meeting old friends and the joy of fellowship.”

The screenings and health and safety services covered cholesterol, blood sugar, lead, HIV, foot screenings, blood pressure, stroke assessment, bone density, breast exams, prostate exams, adult and pediatric dentistry, colon cancer, car and seat belt safety and several massage stations. There were clowns, jump rope contests, face painting and interactive games available for children. Lunch was provided for all registered participants.

Ira Combs, community nurse coordinator, UNMC Office of Vice Chancellor for Research, coordinated continuous screenings of film footage of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and the new video “Following the Clues: A Visit to the Doctor and the Library.” Produced by the McGoogan Library of Medicine, “Following the Clues” is a 12-minute video narrated in English, Spanish and Sudanese-Nuer and shows viewers how to navigate the health care system and find health information at the library.

Tracey Harrison, a 2004 graduate of UNMC’s physicians assistant program, volunteered her services.

UNMC staff, students and alumni were out in force as medical service volunteers and hosts of information stations. They represented such departments as the College of Nursing Mobile Nursing Unit, College of Medicine, College of Dentistry, Eppley Cancer Center, Community Partnership, Library of Medicine, Minority Health, Education and Research Office, Student Alliance for Global Health, Student National Medical Association and Public Affairs.

There will be two follow-up screenings in June and September, although neither will be as extensive as the main annual fair. Also, sponsors are planning a major workshop in September that will allow participants to learn a lot more about asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other major diseases that afflict so many people in North Omaha.

“The people really appreciated having so many different screenings available and all at no cost,” Houston said. “This health fair’s on-going theme is, ‘A Healthy Family is the Heart of Our Community.’ The supporters, organizers and volunteer medical providers and staff, vendors, and community workers have worked hard for eight years to make this a premiere health fair in Nebraska. We couldn’t be more proud of the results.”