Islanders checked in on their wellness Saturday at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital’s first health fair since the Covid-19 pandemic.
About 50 of the Island’s health organizations presented their services at booths set up along the hospital’s hallways. From tick identification cards, to blood pressure testing, ultrasound demonstrations and the game Operation, the fair offered a number of resources all with the goal of keeping the community healthy.
Denise Schepici, the hospital’s president and chief operating officer, said the hospital was excited to bring the annual event back for its 25th year.
“Even after all we do, people really don’t know all the things that we have happening here,” Ms. Schepici said. “[The fair] brings awareness of all the new services that we brought [and] the collaborations we have with other community agencies....”
The fair held information sessions to learn the basics of alpha-gal, medicare and advanced screenings for breast cancer. New breast imaging services began in December.
Staff also kicked-off the Island’s health needs assessment — a once-every-three-years survey in which feedback from the community helps inform healthcare needs. Amy Houghton, the hospital’s director of community programs who led the charge in planning the fair, said the hospital will develop a strategic plan from the assessment and implement it in January of 2026.
“We’re really looking to gather more information about social determinants of health to understand how climate, or environment or food security impact your health and [determine] what can we do as healthcare providers to make sure that those those needs are met,” Ms. Hougton said.
At the fair, Navigator Homes answered questions about the construction of a new skilled nursing facility along Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road.
There were tables staffed by the YMCA and Airport Fitness, where personal trainers answered questions about exercise and memberships. Down the hallway, Curtis Cetrulo M.D., sat at the Communication Ambassador Partnership table discussing the Portugese, Spanish and ASL translation services it supplies the hospital.
Team Maureen, an HPV prevention organization based in Falmouth, promoted their new project called Take the Shot which encourages youth to get the HPV vaccine. Kelly Welch, the organization’s executive director, coached Islanders about the benefits of early action.
“We promote the HPV vaccine because kids need to get in when they’re young in order to be protected later in life,” Ms. Welch said.
Chantele Patterson, the clinical director for Hospice & Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard, taught people about a document called Five Wishes which she said helps start difficult but important conversations about advanced planning care.
She said the fair helps their organization reach out to residents and recruit volunteers.
“Putting humans here rather than just a sign helps create an access point,” Ms. Patterson said.
Julie Fay, a member for the hospital board of trustees and former director of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, said the event demonstrates the interconnectedness among all providers on the Island.
“It’s like all the services on the Island seem to revolve around the hospital at the center,” Ms. Fay said. “So, it’s really nice to see the hospital taking a prominent role in bringing the health fair back.”
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