17th annual Community Health Day

Morristown Medical Center will once again give visitors a look at everything from their own health to services and resources they can use to live healthier lives at the 17th annual Community Health Day at Headquarters Plaza in Morristown, on Saturday, September 8, 2012, from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

The event annually attracts hundreds of people who come to learn about the numerous health-related services that are available to them not only by Atlantic Health System, the parent company of Morristown Medical Center, but also throughout the community.

Community Health Day will again be preceded by the Links annual walkathon, leaving from Morristown Medical Center at 8:00am, and arriving at Headquarters Plaza by 9:00am.

Community Health Day this year will feature more than 70 exhibitors offering a number of services, including perennial features such as free health screenings and information and counseling and unique services such as therapeutic massages.

More than 1,300 screenings were performed at last year’s Community Health Day. This year, free screenings will be offered for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, vision, HIV, oral cancer, prostate cancer, foot screenings and more.

The event will also offer free exercise activities, therapeutic massages, giveaways and other demonstrations, such as Zumba. The Morristown Health Department will also participate in the event again this year, offering various vaccinations as well as lead testing.

“The importance of offering health care services to the community can’t be understated as more Americans take a closer look at their health and make healthy lifestyles a priority,” said Vicki Hughes, manager of the Community Health Department at Morristown Medical Center. “The annual Health Fair each year gives the community a hands-on opportunity to learn more about these services and how to access them.”

Among the resources available at the event this year will be Charity Care, which will offer information about affordable health care options, and the Interfaith Food Pantry, which will provide information about local food donation locations.

The event will feature a Youth Pavilion, which will include various activities for children and an exhibit by Goryeb Children’s Hospital’s TeenHealthFX, an online resource for teenagers. The event will also feature children’s activities, face painting, healthy snacks, music and raffle prizes.

To accommodate the area’s growing Latino population, Spanish translators and Spanish-speaking staff will be readily available and will offer educational materials in Spanish. Health screening information, consent forms and brochures will be available in English and Spanish.

The Foundation for Morristown Medical Center is the event’s primary sponsor. It is also supported by Verizon and NJ SHARES (New Jersey Statewide Heating Assistance and Referral for Energy Services), a non-profit organization which assists residents who have fallen behind on their energy bills due to a temporary financial crisis.

Started in 1996, this day of wellness was created through a partnership between Pastor Robert Rogers at The Church of God in Christ and Morristown Medical Center to bring health screenings and education into the community. As the event continues to grow, it also includes the support of Calvary Baptist Church, Union Baptist Church, Tabernacle of Faith Church, St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, Bethel AME Church, Centro Biblico, Iglesia Evangelica and the County College of Morris.

To register for any of the screenings, or for more information, please call: 1-800-247-9580 or visit www.atlantichealth.org.

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