by Janeth Vazquez, SWMC
Health Fair Still Happening with Extra Safety Precautions, Lab Draws Only
LIBERAL, KS – The safety and health of all our visitors and employees at Southwest Medical Center is our top priority. For this reason, we have reevaluated how we plan to hose the 2020 Community Health Fair. In addition to our existing safety procedures, we are taking extra steps to provide low-cost lab screenings to our community in a safe manner.
The health fair will take place on the first four Saturdays of October. It will be held in the Medical Office Building at Southwest Medical Center from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. We will only offer low-cost lab draws. We will not offer any additional health exams this year. To help us maintain social distancing, we ask that our community members please attend the Saturday that corresponds to their last name. However, if you are unable to attend on your designated date, we encourage you to attend on another Saturday. Masks are required.
Saturday, October 3: Last Names A-F
Saturday, October 10: Last Names G-N
Saturday, October 17: Last Names O-R
Saturday, October 24: Last Names S-Z
This annual event will feature a series of lab tests, including a comprehensive metabolic profile, lipid profile, thyroid screen, and a complete blood count for $35 per person. For an additional $7, men can add PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing, which is recommended for men age 40 and older to test for signs of prostate cancer. Women may have a CEA (carcinoembryogenic antigen) screen for an additional $7 to test for certain types of cancer. An HGB A1C (glycated hemoglobin) test is also available for an additional $7 to help monitor long-term glucose control. We have added a new Vitamin Panel to our list of additional lab screenings, which includes Vitamin D & Vitamin B12.
“Our goal is to encourage our community to be proactive about their health and to make it a priority. The screenings offered will aid early detection. Preventive care is so important because it helps you stay healthy and access prompt treatment when necessary. It can also help you reduce your overall medical expenses,” said Janeth Vazquez, Southwest Medical Center’s Marketing and Development Director.
All individuals receiving lab draws will be screened upon arrival. Participants must bring their own masks, and it must be worn inside of our facility at all times. Each station will e marked so everyone can maintain a social distance of 6 feet. Our volunteers will disinfect all touchable surfaces frequently.
Admission to the Community Health Fair is free for the general public and no pre-registration is required. All visitors interested in having the above lab tests done at the health fair should plan to fast for at least eight hours before testing.
For more information about the 2020 Community Health Fair, please contact Janeth Vazquez at (620) 629-6335. Event updates are available on the Southwest Medical Center Facebook page.