A small group of Wood County residents started Saturday morning with a one-mile walk and the chance to visit with two area doctors before the annual Wood County Health Fair.
Dr. Amanda Ferrer and Dr. Hope Hardy joined participants for the county’s first “Walk with a Doc” Sept. 12. Walkers were able to talk with the doctors along the route while getting in some Saturday morning exercise.
Following the walk, the Wood County Health Fair opened at 9 a.m. at the Carroll Green Civic Center in Quitman.
Representatives from UT Health provided blood pressure and carotid artery screenings and talked with visitors about stroke risks and warning signs.
UT Health’s new Senior Solutions program was also represented. In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, representatives provided information about suicide prevention and discussed free services available to senior citizens in Wood County.
Grace Community Healthcare was on hand with information about its low-cost health care services.
Wood County Veterans Services representatives spoke with veterans and their families about services and assistance available to veterans living in the county.
Jarvis Christian University also participated in the fair and provided information about its programs and educational opportunities.
The health fair is now in its fourth year. Wood County Economic Development Commission Executive Director Christine Thomas said before the event that it was originally started after a study found that many county residents were uninsured, including older residents who were not regularly seeking medical care.
“Most of them don’t go to the doctor unless something’s broken, or their family brings them there. This is a way to get out in front of them and start them thinking about the preventive side of healthcare. That was the driver behind it,” Thomas said.
Thomas said the fair is not limited to residents who are uninsured or have difficulty accessing health care.
“The demographic that we’re reaching is the entire county. It’s not like you have to be uninsured, indigent, and in bad health to come to this,” Thomas said.