The community is encouraged to join Valley Health and more than 80 community
health and wellness agencies on Saturday, April 22 from 8 a.m. –
12 noon for Warren Memorial Hospital’s annual Community Safety &
Wellness Expo. The event will be held at Warren County High School at
155 Westminster Drive in Front Royal.
“In addition to dozens of health, wellness and safety exhibits and
free health screenings, the Wellness Expo is the perfect opportunity to
meet medical professionals outside the traditional hospital or office
walls,” says Expo co-chair Kim Shirley, RN, director of Warren Memorial
Hospital’s Emergency Department and Women’s Care Center. “Plus,
in the span of just a few hours, you can learn more about everything from
local support groups, parenting concerns and crime prevention to the dangers
of texting and driving, home and outdoor safety, and organ donation.”
As in past years, one of the Expo’s biggest attractions is the comprehensive
bloodwork offered by Warren Memorial Hospital Laboratory staff. There
are a variety of options, including a $45 general wellness panel with
a complete blood count (CBC); complete blood panel (measures glucose level,
electrolytes, kidney and liver function); lipid profile (HDL, LDL and
Triglycerides) and thyroid gland test. Other tests may be added for an
additional fee including PSA (prostate-specific antigen), HsCRP (indicates
cardiovascular risk factors), and vitamin D screening. A 12-hour fast
is required for blood work.
Free screenings available at the Expo include blood pressure, body composition
analysis, hearing and vision tests, seated massage, pulmonary fit testing
and oxygen saturation, and vouchers for a no-cost mammogram (limited supply).
There will be a free 12-lead EKG screening, with review by a cardiologist,
to check for problems with the heart’s electrical activity. The
base-line reading can be useful if you experience a heart attack or other
cardiac event.
“We always like to focus on engaging children in thinking about adopting
healthy habits at an early age,” says Kristin Waltz, RN, co-chair
of the Expo. “Kids will be able to take part in a healthy lifestyle
challenge for a chance to win some great prizes, including a fitness tracker
and athletic equipment.”
In addition to the popular Teddy Bear Clinic, where kids can either bring
their own favorite furry friend for a checkup or (while supplies last)
receive a new stuffed animal, the Expo will feature K-9 demonstrations;
information on scooter and skateboard safety from the Warren County Sheriff’s
DARE Office, which will also provide helmets to those in need (while supplies
last); a chance to explore emergency and specialized duty vehicles; plus
a visit with Smokey the Bear and the Chick-fil-A cow. Several raffles
will be held for a scooters, skateboards, pads, life vests and car seats.
A free heart healthy continental breakfast will be served from 8 to 11
a.m., compliments of Warren Memorial Hospital’s Nutrition Services.
The event will be held rain or shine. For more information, log on to
www.valleyhealthlink.com/wmhexpo or call Warren Memorial Hospital at 540-636-0325.