Family Health Fair set for Feb. 25

BULLHEAD CITY – Visit vendors, get punches on provided cards and get entered into a drawing for prizes at the Mohave Heath Coalition’s Family Health Fair, Sat, Feb. 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Mohave Community College, 3400 Hwy. 95. Supporting local healthcare vendors, it’s an “opportunity for vendors to get to know people,” said Irene Reyna, Chairperson.

And there are a lot of healthcare vendors to visit! “Free child immunizations, free blood pressure and blood sugar checks, free scoliosis screening and free mammograms,” said Reyna. When participants make a mammogram  appointment (by calling 928-219-3352), they’ll be reminded to bring insurance cards. However, the mammogram screenings are free for those without insurance. Mammogram appointments are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It wouldn’t be a “fair” without fun. Staff from Everyday Enchantment will be dressed in kid-friendly characters and available for photos. They’ll be in the Kid Zone, along with the Bullhead Health Club, that will have “information for kids about exercising outdoors and at home,” said Reyna.

All of the formal presentations are repeated so attendees can learn the information while being efficient with their time. Times (chronological), speakers, organizations, topics:

• 10:30, 11:30, 12:30: Lorrie Duggins, Community Services Officer, Bullhead City Police Department, The Deadly Opiod Crisis.

• 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30: Presenter TBA, and probably a Mohave County Department of Public Health health professional, Pros and Cons of Immunizations.

• 10:50, 11:50, 12:50: Dr. Chad Kingsley, MD, MBA, Mohave County Director of Public Health, What is Health Equity?

• 10:50, 11:50, and 12:50: Nicole Roberts, FNP-BC, Natural Ways to Manage Chronic Disease. “She’ll discuss ways to manage chronic disease, not specifically medicine,” said Reyna.

• 11:10, 12:10 and 1:10: Dr. Sheila Barnett, DC, Owner/Chiropractor, Total Health Clinic of Chiropractic, Functional Medicine. “It’s about achieving total health by natural means,” said Barnett. “I’m excited to educate the community on being able to cure disease without the use of medication.”

• 11:30 and 1: Eric Fox, Owner/Chef Pro-Fit-Kitchin, Health and Nutrition with Food Prep Demonstration. “He’ll teach people to make easy recipes,” said Reyna.

Additional speakers and topics may be added; an updated workshop schedule will be posted at the Family Health Fair.

“To help guide parents, we have a lot of youth partnership,” said Reyna, including local resources that include Arizona Youth Partnership (AZYP), Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Healthy Families of Arizona, Mile Markers, Mohave County Women Infants and Children (WIC) and NotMyKid, to list a few.

Local businesses are also represented among the more than 60 organizations with a presence at the second annual Family Health Fair. “We encourage the community to get familiar with the new, small businesses who are starting in the medical field,” said Reyna.

“We’re so grateful that the college has been so supportive. They help with whatever they can, including opening up a lot of the college for this event,” said Reyna. “They’ll showcase some of their medical programs, including nursing, radiology and dental hygiene” and give potential students an opportunity to sign up for those and other degree and non-degree programs. A Feb 13 MCC press release highlighted the opportunity for students to take free or reduced-rate non-credit workforce courses that can be transferred to degree programs, making a college education more affordable.

Sponsors include Arizona Complete Health, BCBS AZ, Legacy Foundation, Mohave Community College (MCC) and Murphy Broadcasting. Healthcare vendors include Arizona Complete Health, BlueCross BlueShield Arizona, Western Arizona Medical Center (WARMC), Mohave Health Coalition, North Country Healthcare, Valley View Medical Center, Desert Hearts Nursing and Home Care, Health Choice and Total Health Clinic of Chiropractic.

Expect both the Bullhead City Police Department and the Bullhead Fire Department to be on hand, as they usually are at community events. Consider it an opportunity to get to know them before you need to know them.

For more information, reach out to Reyna at Irene_Reyna@yahoo.com.

Juliette Cowall