Health and Wellness Fair Makes Comeback After Three Years

In their first Health and Wellness Fair since 2018, Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital (FMDH) pulled out all the stops on Oct. 22 with 26 booths encompassing a variety of health and wellness sectors throughout the area. From the Valley County Health Department, to emergency medical services to eye care needs to pharmacy to even financial wellness, those in attendance had the opportunity to not only learn more about the different areas of the hospital, but also learn about other areas for better health available in the community. Attendees also had the ability to get their flu shots either prior or after walking around the Civic Center.

In addition to the booths, attendees had the option to walk through an FMDH ambulance as well as a MEGA Brain, which is the world's only portable, inflatable, walk-though brain exhibit. The MEGA Brain provided an interactive exhibit to learn how the brain works from the inside out, providing visitors knowledge on how to keep the brain healthy while also understanding the latest medical treatments for brain trauma and disease. This is not the first time a MEGA inflatable organ was on display as in 2018 the MEGA Heart was chosen. There are a variety of different MEGA options and according to FMDH Marketing Coordinator Taylor Zerbe, the decision to pick just one is based on availability at the time of the fair, however would love to feature all the ones that are available in future fairs.

According to Zerbe, an estimated 250 community members attended, with each member having the opportunity to stop at the booths, talk with the various health and wellness experts and get their cards signed by five different booth representatives to be placed into a drawing. At the end of the fair, four lucky winners won the fabulous prizes including Betty Stone, electric scooter, Oliver Frigon, stand up paddleboard, Nataliya Dick, Ninja airfryer and Alex Ost, Wyze scale.

The Health and Wellness Fair took a few year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the hope is to continue to make the event a yearly tradition.

"The Health Fair is a chance for all community organizations that have to do with health and wellness to come together and educate the community. I feel our community provides a lot of opportunities to grow in areas such as spiritual, professional, financial, physical and emotional health, but it can be overwhelming to seek them all out separately. This fair gives both the organizations and the community a chance to connect quickly and easily," explained Zerbe.