The Annual Health Fair at Pocahontas Memorial Hospital will be Friday, May 11, from 7 a.m. until noon. It promises to be a fun-filled morning with food, door prizes, and over 30 health-related exhibits and displays from organizations around the county and state. Free blood pressure checks, eye screenings, hearing evaluations, cooking demonstrations, as well as a HealthNet Helicopter landing are all in the plans for Friday. And, of course, everyone is encouraged to take advantage of the blood screenings being offered by the PMH Medical Clinical Laboratory.
The standard Executive I screening includes testing for cardiac, liver, cholesterol, hematology, thyroid function, and electrolytes. This screening would typically cost over $500, but during the Health Fairs PMH offers it for only $25. If men would like to include a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen), the total cost is $30. Other tests are also available at a discounted rate, including the A1C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and heel bone density tests.
Each year, PMH not only holds the Annual Health Fair at the hospital, but staff works diligently to offer Health Fairs across the county to allow folks to have blood work done in their own communities. As a result of the Health Fairs over the last twenty five years, dozens of critical health conditions have been discovered for the first time such as anemia and low blood cell counts, thyroid issues, leukemia, diabetes, high lipids, bleeding disorders, and prostate cancers.
Results from the blood screenings are mailed to your home in seven-to-10 days and upon request, will also be provided to your regular healthcare provider.
“This is a great way for people to take the initiative for their own health,” said Terry Wagner, Chief Operating Officer at PMH and a director for the Health Fair.
A full schedule of locations and times is available on page 5 in this edition of The Pocahontas Times, on the PMH Facebook page or on the www.pmhwv.org website.