ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
Saturday, April 26, Artesian Valley Health System and the Meade County Health Department are giving people a chance to get a variety of tests and immunizations at a low cost, with some of them at no cost.
AVHS and MCHD are hosting the annual Meade County Health Fair, and Artesian Valley Marketing Manager Crystal Torres said there will be discounted lab and imaging tests and several free tests the day of the health fair.
“This year, Mobile Tone, a mobile audiology clinic, will be set up in our hospital parking lot consulting patients,” she said.
Lab tests available Saturday at Meade District Hospital and MCHD include:
• H. Pylori for $60 – Detects an infection of the digestive tract caused by bacteria
• Blood type for $5 – Determines a person’s blood type
• Vitamin D for $40 – Measures the level of vitamin D in the blood
• PSA for males for $20 – Screens for possible prostate cancer
• Hemoglobin A1C for $10 – Monitors long -term glucose control with a three-month average
• CA-125 for females for $20 – Measures the amount of protein cancer antigen in the blood
• CMP, CBC, TSH, lipid and MAG for $50 – Measures iron deficiency anemia, thyroid function, cholesterol, magnesium, glucose levels, kidney and liver function and electrolyte and fluid balance
Imaging tests are by appointment only and include:
• DEXA Scan for $50 – Measures calcium and other minerals in bones
• Coronary calcium scan for $50 – Look for calcium deposits in the heart arteries
Immunizations available include:
• TDaP (For more information, call MCHD at 620-873-8745.)
• RSV for age 60 and older
• Shingrix for age 50 and older
• Pneumonia for age 65 and older and high risk
Torres said getting tested can greatly help in saving lives.
“The amount of people saved by getting tested at a health fair can vary depending on the type and number of tests offered, but the savings are significant,” she said.
Torres said in terms of getting results, turnover is quick.
“Everyone should receive their results by mail a week after the event,” she said.
Torres said attending the Meade County Health Fair can be a valuable experience.
“It can help individuals gain knowledge, take preventative measures and connect with health professionals and resources in their community,” she said.
Torres said attending the health fair can be very important, especially for those looking to stay informed, access screenings or take steps toward a healthier lifestyle.
“It is a proactive approach to health that can benefit people at any stage of life,” she said.
Torres said recent health fairs have been quite successful.
“We have seen an increase in attendance,” she said. “We’ve received positive feedback on the various services, especially the DEXA and coronary calcium scan. The community appreciated the opportunity to access discounted tests and free health screenings.”
Torres said the Meade County Health Fair’s success can be attributed to serveral key factors.
“First, our partnership with the Meade County Health Department has been crucial,” she said. “Additionally, the engagement of healthcare providers with their patients before the event has contributed to our success. We also offered early testing for individuals who could not attend on Saturday. They come two days beforehand during a four-hour window to complete their tests.”
With the start of each new year comes the start of planning for the health fair, and Torres said this provides ample to time to organize and promote the event.
“We meet with the Meade County Health Department to coordinate our efforts,” she said. “This process runs smoothly because everyone involved has been in their roles or with the organization for many years. For example, the radiology manager, Brad Bird, has participated in the health fair for 24 years. His experience allows him to navigate the preparation with ease. Overall, everything comes together very well.”
In addition to Meade, Torres said the health fair draws participants from surrounding communities as well.
The Meade County Health Fair will run from 8 t 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, at Meade District Hospital. Individuals can pre-register for lab and imaging tests by calling MDH at 620-873-2141 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. To register for immunizations, contact MCHD at 620-873-8745. Pre-registration is open until April 23.
“After this date, registration will be available at the event Saturday, April 26,” Torres said. “Those who have pre-registered can come for early testing Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 25, between 8 and 11 a.m. For more information, please call 620-873-2141.”
Torres said she is looking forward to another successful health fair.
“It’s exciting to continue offering this event to our community and to see its growth each year,” she said.
