5th ANNUAL COLUSA COUNTY SENIOR HEALTH FAIR

October 2007

Colusa Regional Medical Center, Caring for Our Community

5^TH ANNUAL COLUSA COUNTY
SENIOR HEALTH FAIR

Over 200 seniors attended this year’s 5^th Annual Colusa County Senior Health Fair held in the Festival Hall at the Colusa County Fairgrounds on Thursday, October 25^th. The fair was sponsored by Colusa Regional Medical Center in collaboration with 32 other community agencies. Per event coordinator, Mary Jane Tait, RN, CRMC Director of Staff Development, “This was our biggest fair yet. We had more health screening and education booths than ever before. We had to turn away potential booth sponsors because there simply was no more room.”

The beautiful fall day created the opportunity for a leisurely outing and opportunity to receive a flu shot, listen to informative speakers and participate in multiple free health screenings. In addition a delicious chicken soup lunch was served by the CRMC Foundation and Auxiliary Members which had been prepared the day before by Foundation members with the help of guest chefs from Big Belly Barbeque of Colusa.

The sponsors of the health screening and education booths included: Alzheimer’s Association; American Cancer Society; American Red Cross; Apria Healthcare; Joel Berman; MD, Podiatrist; Colusa Regional Medical Center Departments: Chief Nursing Officer, Outpatient Clinics, Radiology, Home Health, Laboratory, Rehabilitation, Respiratory and the Auxiliary and Foundation members; California Highway Patrol; City of Colusa Parks and Recreation Department; Pacific Gas and Electric; Colusa County Departments of: Public Health, Adult Protective Services, Behavioral Health, Elder & Substance Abuse, Transit Public Authority, and Senior Nutrition; Colusa Hearing Aid; Colusa Milling Co.; Colusa Non-emergency Transport and Colusa Cab Company; Colusa Tennis and Swim Club; Del Oro Caregivers; FOCCAS and Sheriff’s Department volunteers; Hi-CAP; Lincare; McNary-Moore; Pacific Pulmonary Services; Passages; Shield Health Care; Social Security Administration; State Farm Insurance; Valley West Care Center; Veteran’s Administration; Wellness Center & Massage Therapy; and Wells Fargo Bank.

Speakers for the day included: Dr. Lawrence Highman, general surgeon, on “Healthy Nutrition, An Adventure”; Dr. William Lewis, cardiologist, on “Healthy Heart”; Dr. Joel E. Berman, podiatrist, “The Agony of De Feet”; Dr. Charles Mills, pharmacist, “The Pain of Medication”; Marsha Vernoga, registered dietician, “The Health Robbers Diet”; Investigator, Cornelius Van Hout, “Identity Theft and Telemarketing Fraud” and Dr. Gilbert Martinez, family practice, “Ask a Doctor”.

Drawings were held throughout the day for the door prizes that were donated by the vendors. The winner of the big screen TV donated by CRMC was Andrea Mello of Arbuckle. “Dr. Vincent Mazzarella, new general surgeon at CRMC, drew the winning card and is shown here congratulating winner, Andrea Mello.”

Other agencies who contributed were: Colusa Transit, free transportation for Seniors; Jackie’s Garden, stage decorations; Ritchie’s Florist, table decorations: Colusa Fire Department, public address system; Colusa Linen Company, table cloths and drapes; students of the Sutter ROP LVN Class, and the students of the Continuation High School who helped set up and take down the tables, chairs and booths.

Many staff and volunteers from the participating agencies came together to greet and assist seniors in making the day a special event just for them.

As a follow-up to the Senior Health Fair, Colusa Regional Medical Center and Colusa County Public Health Department will be offering “roving” flu clinics throughout the county during the month of November. For times and locations, check the newspaper community calendar listing, or call the Public Health Department at 458-0380, or CRMC at 458-5821.

Colusa Regional Medical Center is an equal opportunity employer and provider.