Westside Community Health Center Encourages the Community to Embrace Healthy Living
September 29, 2005
Contact: Todd Harper
Phone: 317-630-7808
Pager: 317-310-5972
Indianapolis, September 29, 2005 - On Saturday, October 15, Wishard Health Services will present the eighth annual Westside Community Health Fair. A comprehensive team of healthcare professionals will be on hand to answer questions and administer free health screenings and flu shots.
The fair will be open to the community from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Westside Community Health Center, 2732 W. Michigan Street in Indianapolis.
In addition to the fair and the free health screenings, a town hall meeting will be held during the event with a panel of community leaders and local physicians discussing and answering healthcare related issues. Dr. Judith A. Monroe, Indiana State Health Commissioner, will be one of the members on the panel.
Health screenings provided during the fair will include blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, colorectal cancer, osteoporosis and dental. Participants may visit a wide variety of information booths on child-seat safety, assistance programs and primary care services. Education also will be offered on smoking cessation, prostate cancer, breast cancer, sun protection, STDs, domestic violence and nutrition. Spanish interpreters and bilingual pamphlets and health information will be available at the fair.
"This will be the eighth time the Internal Medicine Student Interest Group and Westside Community Health Center leaders have marshaled the talents and resources of Wishard, many departments and students from the IU School of Medicine, to provide disease screenings and fun health education for the entire family," said Dr. Palmer Mackie, a physician at Westside Community Health Center.
Prizes will be raffled during the event. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to learn about bicycle, helmet, seat belt and fire safety. If the weather is good, a fire truck will be available for touring. Refreshments will also be offered.
"We're hoping the whole community comes out to join us, takes advantage of the healthy learning opportunities and becomes better educated on a variety of health-related issues," Dr. Mackie said.
The Westside Community Health Center provides healthcare services for the community in the areas of family planning, social services, primary care, mental health and dental services. The center is one of seven Wishard Health Services community health centers located throughout Indianapolis.
This year's fair sponsors include the Indiana University School of Medicine, Westside Community Health Center Advisory Council, IU Medical Group and Wishard Health Services.
For more information about the Westside Community Health Fair, please call (317) 554-4600.