The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital was especially crowded on Saturday at the 20th annual hospital health fair. Participants filled the first floor halls, running from the main lobby to Windemere and into the old hospital. The list of participating exhibitors was long, and a large portion of the Vineyard’s health care community was in attendance.
John Powers, health agent of West Tisbury, was there to promote the local presence of the statewide Medical Reserve Corps, an organization providing medical services during a large-scale community emergency.
“This is a way for us to get out, and give and get feedback from the community. Plus, we get to see everyone we haven’t seen all winter,” Mr. Powers said.
Dr. Ryan Shea was at his table offering a free glaucoma test for anyone who would sit in a chair and look into his device. Not far away, Sarah Soushek, of the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard, offered a list of programs from exercise to youth daytime programs. Judy Crawford handed out pamphlets and answered questions about the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Patient Family Advisory Council, a four-year-old organization that is new to the fair. How does a four-year-old organization become new?
“We are just going public now,” Mrs. Crawford said. The council’s goal is to provide a bridge between the community and the hospital and for her, the health fair was a great venue.
The Vineyard Independence Partnership was also new to the fair this year. Andy Palmer, co-president, said his organization is all about giving support to individuals with disabilities and their families.
For the public, the health fair is a way to get a lot of free advice on staying healthy. Nurses, doctors, medical technicians, counselors, advisers and experts from many different fields participated in the event. One could also pick up a health care proxy, or snack on healthy fresh-made muffins and beverages of all kinds.
Rachel Vanderhoop, hospital director of development and community relations, said afterwards that the fair was a big success this year. “There were more booths, more people and more participants. It was the best one yet,” she said.
Ms. Vanderhoop said she noticed more young people at the fair this year, and was touched by the interest that some youngsters had in a computer laparoscopic surgery simulator. She said that as a result, these kids might take a greater interest in the medical field.
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