Annual Fall Health Fair and Community Baby Shower to be held October 5

Kick off fall with a healthy start at Onaga Community Hospital Saturday, October 5. Join Community HealthCare System (CHCS) at their annual Health Fair and Community Baby Shower. Low-cost labs, vaccines, information for new parents and many more activities are planned.

Low-cost labs will be offered from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Individuals can receive a complete blood count, chemistry panel, thyroid screen, cholesterol panel, and hemoglobin A1c for diabetes screening for $30. A prostate specific antigen, or PSA, test can be added for $15. Payment by cash or check is preferred, but credit cards will be accepted. 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 are also welcome! Flu shots will also be available. Please bring your insurance card.

The Community Baby Shower is free to attend and will offer information, gifts, and drawings for expectant parents or those who have a baby under 1 year of age. CHCS staff will offer Birth Center tours and answer questions about safe sleep, smoking cessation, breastfeeding, and much more. A Car-seat safety check lane will be conducted by trained technicians.

New this fall is a bike safety booth offering free kids helmets (quantities limited) and a drawing for two free bikes! Weather and patient-care needs permitting, Lifestar will land at 9:30 a.m. and helicopter tours will be available.

Merica Surdez, chief of provider and clinic operations at CHCS, said anyone age 18 and over should have blood drawn for wellness labs. Those with health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity are urged to have these tests at least annually.

“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, affordable, and it helps prompt important conversations with your primary care provider [PCP],” Surdez said.

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.

Check-in will be at the main entrance where participants will complete a consent form, and then will proceed to the blood drawing stations for labs and will have a chance to grab a snack and drink, plus some information about CHCS services on their way out. Anyone who plans to receive vaccines or attend the Community Baby Shower should plan to spend a little extra time.

“We’re pleased to host the Health Fair to offer reduced-cost services and to promote healthy lifestyles. Plus, it’s a great way to provide community members an opportunity to learn from our childbirth, safe sleep, and breastfeeding experts by scheduling an appointment or visiting the Baby Shower,” said Mindy Olberding, chief nursing officer.

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