A nurse prepares to administer tests for Scott Bromlow at last year’s Community Health Fair. This year’s health fair is scheduled for Oct. 4 at the Seward County Activity Center. L&T file photo/Robert Pierce

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

 

Many events will be taking place around the area Saturday, Oct. 4, some of which include the Liberal AirFair and the Sylvia’s Fragrance of Hope Benefit Gala.

Also taking place that day, Southwest Medical Center will be hosting its 16th annual Community Health Fair from 7 a.m. to noon at the Seward County Activity Center.

SWMC Business Development Manager Rachel Downing said as in the past, visitors to the health fair get general lab testing for $35 and several other lab tests for $7 each.

“General lab testing is a comprehensive metabolic profile, which measures glucose levels, kidneys, liver function, electrolytes, fluid balance, the lipid profile, a thyroid screen, complete blood count and a vitamin panel, which includes vitamin D and B-12,” she said. “They’re all together as a $35 lab testing kit.”

The additional tests for $7 each include a prostate-specific antigen, (a screening for possible prostate cancer in men, a carcinoembryonic antigen, which screens for possible cancer in women, and an HGB-A1C, a glycated hemoglobin to test for diabetic readings, as well as a magnesium test.

The Community Health Fair has grown greatly throughout the years, but with the availability of free tests made possible by the City of Liberal, APEX Clean Energy and SWMC, the turnout for the 2024 event was quite huge. Downing said she and Marketing and Development Director Janeth Vazquez were thrilled with that turnout.

Though testing is provided at a cost this year, Downing reminded those coming to the health fair those costs are low, and she is hoping for similar, if not higher numbers for this year’s event.

“The whole point of the health fair is to increase access to essential health services,” she said. “That’s why we work really hard to keep the cost as low as possible.”

Downing said she feels it is very important for people to come to the health fair.

“Preventive screenings are essential for health care,” she said. “Even if you feel healthy, preventive care is keen to staying that way. It’s a great opportunity to check up on your health, learn new ways to take care of yourself and also support your community’s health efforts.”

Downing said no matter what age people are or if they have insurance or not, the Community Health Fair provides the perfect opportunity to get many free or low cost health screenings in one spot.,

“We know Seward County has one of the highest uninsured rates in Kansas, so this is a great opportunity for people to get low cost lab work to get a baseline on their health, especially if they have any underlying health conditions,” she said. “It’s full of important community health resources.”

Downing said having the health fair allows many people to receive their annual checkup, particularly those without insurance or a doctor.

“We do know a lot of people in our community face barriers to care, whether that’s lack of insurance, language or transportation challenges,” she said. “This is the perfect place to have all of that in one space.”

One of those screenings includes the Liberal Noon Lions Club doing vision screenings and blood sugar checks, and Downing said those and others at the health fair help people get an overall feel for their health.

“Even if you don’t want to do all the lab testing, you can walk around and see all the booths,” she said.

Providers will also be doing clinical breast exams for women.

“Women can go see if they need to be referred on for further evaluation so they can catch something before it gets too expensive or too costly or takes a larger toll on their health,” Downing said.

Other testing provided at the Community Health Fair include surgery checkups from general surgeons and sports physicals, and First Dental will provide oral screenings throughout the morning.

“You can come out there and get a good idea of your overall health,” Downing said.

For Downing, not only is it important to attend the health fair, but it is also beneficial.

“We encourage everyone to come out,” she said. “Thinking of preventative care, this is the one place once a year you can come get most of your preventative care looked at.”

Liberal’s Dr. Mona Rane will also be doing skin cancer screenings, which Downing said are highly encouraged.

“We know skin cancer is on the rise, and it’s something you can never be too sure of,” she said. “Dr. Rane usually sees at least 100 patients out there that day. We would really highly recommend people stop by her table.”

Of course, with many health fairs, a high focus is given to physical health, but Downing said SWMC’s health fair will also have several mental health provider organizations with booths.

“You can stop by there, get to know their resources, what they have available in our community,” she said. “It’s a perfect place to get to know their stuff out there. We have nutrition out there. It’s not just your physical health, but we want to look at your mental health, your overall well being, get the total picture of it.”

Planning for the Community Health Fair goes on throughout the year, and Downing said that planning is spaced out to keep organizers from getting too worn out.

“It really takes a whole village to put this on,” she said. “We have lab people working tirelessly to get everything planned. We have materials. We have to order all of the supplies for the entire event. Our plan-ops team works to get all of our goodies, promos and exam tables out there. It’s the entire hospital that comes together to put it on.”

Downing said she and Vazquez do not get too tired from the work they do to put on the health fair.

“It’s exciting, and it’s fun,” Downing said. “It’s an entire group effort that comes together for that day.”

Downing said all of the work to put on the Community Health Fair is totally worth the effort.

“This is Janeth and I’s biggest event of the year,” she said. “It’s probably the hospital’s largest event as well. We look forward to it every year. We really like to see those numbers increasing because we know that means our community is getting to know not only the services the hospital provides, but also any health and wellness related resources within the community. We’re doing our part to take care of our community and let them know everything Seward County has to offer.”

Downing did say, though, at the end of the health fair, she and Vazquez are more than a little worn out, and each likely takes a well deserved rest. Both are excited for this year’s event, however.

“You’ll always catch me and Janeth,” Downing said. “It looks we’re doing laps out there, but we like to walk by and see how many lab draws has the team done in an hour. We like to look at those kind of numbers. We look at the crowd. We like to see people interacting with the different vendors we have throughout the facility. I’m just excited to see the turnout. It might not be as big as last year. It’s not free this year, but we’re hopeful.”

Downing advised those who plan on lab screenings to fast for eight hours, and she added they likewise need to hydrate heavily before fasting.

“You’re less likely to feel a little uneasy after you get your lab work done,” she said. “Drink lots of water leading up to it.”

Gold Sponsors for this year’s Community Health Fair are United Healthcare, Equity Bank, Heartland Cancer Center, KSCB and Love’s Travel Stop. Silver Sponsors are Southern Office Supply, Golden Plains Credit Union, Southern Pioneer Electric and La Mexicana, and Bronze Sponsors are the Community Bank, J&R Construction Group, Heifer Source, National Beef and the Bank of the Plans.

Downing added no pre-registration is required to attend the health fair. For more information, visit www.swmedcenter.com, and click on the 2025 COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR link.

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