A big dose of fun was just what the doctor ordered for those who attended the 6th Annual Healthy Fun Fair at the $$Pikeville Campus on Thursday, July 25th. The event, a collaboration between American National University and the Pikeville medical community, offered valuable health screenings, wellness information, and safety demonstrations, along with inflatables, games, food, and prizes–a combination that continues to draw large crowds to the event year after year.
Johnica Runyon visited the Healthy Fun Fair with her nine-year-old daughter, Faith, and her mother and mother-in-law. It was their second time attending the event. “We enjoyed it, and we really got a lot of information. My mother-in-law doesn’t have insurance, so it really helped her out,” she said as they completed an asthma screening at the Asthma and Allergy Center booth.
Johnica also feels that it is important to teach her daughter about health. “I liked Zumba!” Faith exclaimed after dancing in the Zumba demonstration down the hall.
Other screenings provided during the fair included diagnostics by students from the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, sun damage screenings by the UK Extension office, cardio-pulmonary disease (COPD) and foot and ankle screenings by Pikeville Medical Center, hearing screenings by Beltone, and many more.
Dr. Todd Ratliff, with Big Sandy Dental Center, provided consultations to visitors about how smokeless tobacco, diabetes and other systemic diseases affect oral health. “With diabetes, you’re more susceptible to periodontal disease, so it’s very important to see the dentist on a regular basis,” he explained, adding that many of the visitors that he spoke with plan to seek dental treatment as a result of their consultation.
Students from the American National University nursing, medical assisting, and phlebotomy programs also enjoyed the opportunity to give back to the community while practicing their skills during the health fair. Nursing students provided BMI and blood pressure screenings, while medical assisting and phlebotomy students drew blood for cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood sugar testing in the Highlands Regional Medical Center booth.
[img]Ashley Burgess, a graduate of the medical billing and coding program, who has returned to National to earn her medical office specialist and phlebotomy diplomas, volunteered for the third year at the fair. This year, she stayed busy throughout the day drawing blood. She was glad to use her skills to help others. “I think that it helped them a lot, considering that some of them probably didn’t have the medical insurance that they need to have these tests done,” she said of those who took advantage of the screenings.
One of the most exciting events of the day was a simulated medical emergency which depicted a car crash involving a mobile methamphetamine lab. The simulation was conducted by the fire department, EMS, police department, and a medical evacuation helicopter from Wings Air Medical Services. Students and staff from National also acted as victims and medical providers, and some were even taken away in handcuffs, as the perpetrators of the accident.
A new, and very popular, addition to the Healthy Fun Fair was an appearance by Minnie Mouse, who was portrayed by Letha Reed. Letha, a brain cancer survivor, said that she decided that she wanted to “pay it forward” and be involved in the event, after she learned about it during a Kiwanis meeting. “You know what, it’s all about the smiles,” she said. “It’s been a great day. I’m so grateful to be a part of this.”
Sponsors:
Pikeville Medical Center
Highlands Regional Medical Center
Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Coca Cola Bottling
Pearson Learning Solutions
Transtar
Signature Health Care
Dr. Jody Johnson
Food City
Coal Run Fire Department
Vendors:
Pikeville Medical Center
Pikeville Regional Medical Center
Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Signature Health Care
Pearson Learning Solutions
Big Sandy Dental
Wal-Mart
Coal Run Police
UK Extension
Saving Grace
YMCA
Pike County Health Department
Premier Health Care
Appalachian Pregnancy Care Center
Tara Burke (Mary Kay Cosmetics)
Asthma and Allergy Center
Kentucky Highway Department
The Wellness Center
Kentucky Department of Vehicle Enforcement
Beltone
U.S. Army
Spina Bifida Association
Coventry Cares
TransAmerica/Monumental Life Insurance
Kentucky Mountain Home Place
Light the Night Awareness Walk
Mountain View Healthcare
Kentucky State Police
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Transtar
Emergency Management
Pike County Public Library
Sunrise Children’s Services
Wings Air Medical Services
First responders are shown caring for victims of the simulated medical emergency during the Healthy Fun Fair.
Phlebotomy student Ashley Burgess (far right) and director of health care education Wilma Storey (far left) conduct blood draws for cholesterol, triglyceride and blood sugar screenings in the Highlands Regional Medical Center booth.
