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CHCS to hold Health Fair and Community Baby Shower October 8

Health Fair 22

Make Onaga Community Hospital a stop on your journey toward good health on Saturday, October 8.  Community HealthCare System will be hosting both a Health Fair and a Community Baby Shower that day. Low-cost labs, vaccines, information for new parents, and more will be available.

The Health Fair will offer low-cost labs from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. Individuals can receive a complete blood count, chemistry panel, thyroid screen, cholesterol panel, and hemoglobin A1c for diabetes screening for $25. A prostate specific antigen, or PSA, test can be added for $10. Payment is by cash, check, or credit card; cash or check are encouraged and will be much faster. Patients are encouraged to schedule in advance by calling 785-889-4241; select Onaga Clinic (option 1) and let registration staff know you’d like an appointment at the Health Fair. Walk-ins will also be welcome. (Read an FAQ about lab tests and what they tell you.)

Pottawatomie County Public Health will be on hand to offer influenza, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), and COVID-19 vaccines. Both high-dose (for those age 65 and older) and regular flu vaccines will be available; those who are interested in flu vaccines should bring their insurance card. Insured individuals will incur no out-of-pocket expense. Uninsured pricing will be posted at a later date.

The Community Baby Shower will offer information, gifts, and drawings for parents who are expecting a baby or who have a baby under 1 year of age. This portion of the event is slated for 8:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. and is free to attend. Staff will be on hand to offer Birth Center tours and answer questions about safe sleep, smoking cessation, breastfeeding, and much more.

Merica Surdez, chief of provider and clinic operations at CHCS, said it’s a good idea for anyone age 18 and over to have blood drawn for wellness labs. Those with health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity should be sure to have the tests.

“Everyone – including young, healthy people who would not routinely qualify for screening labs – should consider having their labs completed at the Health Fair. It is quick, easy, and affordable, and it helps prompt important conversations with your primary care provider [PCP],” Surdez said.

Surdez added that people with chronic health conditions should have labs completed at minimum once a year.

Individuals should fast before having blood drawn, meaning they should not eat or drink anything other than water or black coffee after 12:00 midnight.

Patients will enter through the hospital main entrance and will be screened for COVID-19 and required to wear a mask per CMS mandates. Scheduling appointments in advance will help ensure adequate spacing of patients. If the lobby becomes full, some people may be asked to wait outside briefly.

All who participate in the Health Fair will fill out a consent form, proceed to the drawing stations to have blood drawn, and have the opportunity to grab a snack and a drink, plus some information about CHCS services on their way out. Anyone who wishes to receive vaccines or attend the Community Baby Shower should plan to spend a little extra time.

“We’re pleased to offer this service to our communities so cost isn’t a barrier. We hope everyone takes advantage of the opportunity to catch up on care or learn from our childbirth, safe sleep, and breastfeeding experts by scheduling an appointment or visiting the Baby Shower,” said Mindy Olberding, chief nursing officer.

“We also appreciate our partners at Pottawatomie County Public Health for taking time to bring vaccines so patients have a one-stop shop on October 8," Olberding said.

Individuals will receive blood test results in the mail. Because of the nature of the event, results will not be sent to primary care providers, so individuals should plan to contact their provider’s office for an appointment to discuss results. Surdez said that discussing lab results with your PCP assists with early detection of any abnormalities.

"The best thing to do after receiving your results is to schedule an office visit with your PCP,” Surdez said.

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