Health fair provides free services and screenings in the community

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The Virginia Commonwealth University MCV Campus Student Government Association hosted its seventh annual community health fair on April 12 at Armstrong High School, providing  free health screenings, wellness education and follow-up resources to approximately 200 children and adults from the Richmond community.

Available health screenings included glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure, lung capacity and mental and sexual health. Dental and vision services and physician counseling were also available to both adults and children. All services were open to the public and free of charge. The fair was a student-organized and student-run event with 150 volunteers from VCU’s undergraduate and graduate programs.

The screening stations were set up differently than in previous years, with a focus on interdisciplinary care. Each station offered all of the available screenings and services, differing from past fairs when participants moved to different areas for each screening. The new arrangement proved to be more efficient for both the patients and volunteers. For students, the focus on interdisciplinary care also fostered an appreciation and understanding of other disciplines in the medical field.

“The feedback from participants, organizations and volunteers has been phenomenally positive,” said Jessica Lewis, health fair chair and member of the MCV Campus Student Government Association. “Overall we are very pleased with the attendance and are happy we could help the residents of the Richmond community.”

More than 70 tables from various health organizations stretched through the halls and were stacked high with educational materials and full goody bags. Helpful representatives from each organization, such as CenteringPregnancy® at VCU, Center for High Blood Pressure and the Fan Free Clinic, were on hand to answer questions and provide information.

The fair also featured child-friendly activities such as crafts, Zumba, lacrosse and live music. Gift cards and a brand new bike were the most popular among the day's raffle prizes.

Volunteers are needed in the fall to help plan for next year’s health fair. If interested in volunteering, contact healthfairvcu@gmail.com. For more information, visit http://www.vcuhealthfair.org.


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