Local Organizations Team Up to Offer Free Health Screenings and Helpful Information

Contact:  Todd Harper
Phone:  (317) 630-7808
Pager:  (317) 310-5972

Indianapolis, September 1, 2010 – On Saturday, September 18, several local organizations will team up to offer free health screenings and childhood immunizations, family entertainment and helpful resources to the public at the Community Day 2010 celebration.
This year’s event marks a new location for the fair which will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grassy Creek Health Center, 9443 E. 38th Street.  The event will be hosted by three of Wishard Health Services’ community health centers, Forest Manor, Grassy Creek and North Arlington health centers, as well as IPS School 83, CAFÉ (Community Alliance of the Far Eastside) and the Devington Communities Association.
Free health screenings will be offered during the event including asthma, cholesterol, glucose (diabetes), skin cancer, blood pressure, dental, body mass index, STD, HIV, sickle cell and vision.  Free immunizations for children from 4 to 16 years of age will also be offered.  Parents must bring their child’s shot records.
In addition to the screenings, a variety of community groups will be on hand to distribute important information.  Plenty of family entertainment will also be part of the day’s activities, including a kids’ carnival with exciting games.  This year’s event will also include exciting entertainment with a local DJ playing a variety of musical favorites.
"We're hopeful that the entire eastside community will take advantage of this opportunity to obtain important health information and screenings and, in addition, enjoy the family fun fair," said Dr. Dana-Lynn Hiller, a physician at Forest Manor Health Center.  “It also offers a great opportunity for families to be linked with a medical home where they can go for follow-up care and routine annual appointments.”
Some of the booths that will be set up during Community Day will include information on a wide variety of topics such as child safety, women’s health, asthma education, Medicaid, financial counseling, mental health, educational opportunities and physical fitness.  There will also be staff members from the Wishard Pharmacy available to take unwanted medication for disposal. 
In addition to the many booths and health screenings, a special bicycle rodeo with bike safety tips will be setup in the parking lot. Staff from the IU/Wishard Level I Trauma Center will be available to answer questions on bicycle safety.
Participating organizations in Community Day include Martin University, Indiana Minority Health Coalition, Covering Kids and Families, Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFÉ), Damien Center, Indianapolis Fire Department, Girl Scouts, The Julian Center, First Steps, MDwise with Ms. Bluebelle, Legacy House, Marion County Health Department, Workone, Take Charge Lite Weight Management Program at Wishard, Youth Weight Management Program (S.T.O.P.), WIC, Midtown Community Mental Health Center, and more.  Kenny’s Barber Shop and School will provide free haircuts. 
Parents are encouraged to bring their children to enjoy the clowns and free carnival games.  Participants may also enter a contest to win door prizes and giveaways.
Sponsors and donors for Community Day include the American Medical Association-IU School of Medicine Chapter, CVS/pharmacy, Keeler-Webb Associates, Lee and Evelyn Rhyant Family Foundation, IU Medical Group and Wishard Health Services.
Forest Manor, Grassy Creek and North Arlington health centers provide a wide variety of healthcare services to the public including primary care for adults and children along with specialty services such as OB/GYN, social services and nutrition counseling.  The centers are part of Wishard Health Services, which operates 10 community health centers located throughout Indianapolis.
For more information about Community Day, please call (317) 554-5208.