UH SJMC Health Fairs Return to the Community

Exercise and healthy body movement can come in many forms – even hula hoop!

The best medicine is prevention. And one of the best ways to get ahead of potential health problems is by getting screened for common indicators of health concerns.

University Hospitals St. John Medical Center hosted two health fairs in the past two weeks at notable Westlake locations. The first was at Westlake High on Wednesday, April 13. The second was at American Greetings on Wednesday, April, 20.

Both events saw ample participation. Events like these had been victims of pandemic shutdown the past two years. So, for UH SJMC Outreach Coordinator Paul Forthofer, these events were met with enthusiasm.

: Learning about therapy dogs.

: Blood pressure screenings at American Greetings

CPR demonstrations

“We were really happy to get back out there again,” he said. “Health screenings are a vitally important way for people to check on their health baselines and then follow up with their physician if there is a red flag.”

For the Westlake High students, the health fair at the school was the first time many of the attendees had the opportunity to attend a health fair. “If you think about two years ago, many of these students were not even in high school yet. So health fairs were one the things that the pandemic took away from the community,” said Forthofer. “I can’t say enough about the reception we got from the students there. They were enthusiastic, polite and very welcoming. It was a great day.”

Both events offered health fair staples like blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI and balance screenings among other offerings. CPR demonstrations, information tables on physical therapy, pharmacy and medicine and more were included.