Health fair a big draw amid lean economic times

Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center invites everyone over Saturday for its Summer Community Health Fair, a chance to get a few free medical tune ups and check in with what's new at the hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive.

About 70 hospital vendors , independent physicians and local businesses will be in the hospital's main lobby from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free screenings, including those for glucose, cholesterol, peripheral artery disease, hearing, vision and bone density, will be offered.

The biannual health fairs are a big draw, and at the previous event, about 100 people lined up beforehand to potentially save hundreds of dollars on necessary testings.

For some, the free screenings were a much-needed boost during lean times, said Sajit Pullarkat, chief executive officer.

"Certainly in this economic environment, we know how difficult things are across the county and especially in Las Vegas," he said. "We're happy to help the community."

Raffles , a Kids Zone and a free family-size first aid kit for the first 100 visitors will be offered, too.

Guests will get face-to-face time with physicians and medical professionals at the hospital.

It is the seventh free health fair in the hospital's three-year history, said Kimberly Taylor, registered nurse and program coordinator for the hospitals neuro and cardiac services department.

"As we grow, we get a lot of comments on how much we've changed," she said. "It's a great way for the community to learn and still get attention."

New this year, Pullarkat said, are services in midwifery, orthopedic services, call-ahead appointments in the emergency room and a risk-assessment survey that patients can complete online.

Taylor said last season's big draw was free flu shots. She usually mans a booth dealing with stroke and cardiovascular risk and prevention.

Donations for The Shade Tree, a nonprofit shelter for women and their children at 1 W. Owens Ave. will be collected at the fair.

For more information, visit ichoose
centennialhills.com or call 835-9705.

Contact Centennial and Paradise View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.