Director of Marketing and Communications
Boundary Community Hospital
Health advocates will man over fifty booths at this year’s Health Fair sponsored by Boundary Community Hospital on Saturday, May 9, 2015. "The Health Fair is an event that we always look forward to," said hospital administrator, Craig A. Johnson. "People who make it their career to know the answers to health questions will be here to address health topics. It is an informative, learning, and fun atmosphere for people of all ages."
The Health Fair starts at 9:00 a.m. and lasts until noon. Pick up a free large plastic bag at the Outpatient Clinic door to hold all the goodies you will receive as you travel from booth to booth.
At this year's Health Fair, MedStar Critical Care Transport Service will be landing their helicopter on the helipad for up-close viewing of the inside of a medical helicopter transport system. A fire truck from the Bonners Ferry Fire Department and several volunteers from the fire department will be at the fair, as well as the Boundary Volunteer Ambulance service.
Representatives knowledgeable about medical equipment, aging issues, dementia issues, hearing, plants and nutrition, diabetes, childbirth, hospice, mental health, substance abuse, hand washing, cancer support, safe sleep for babies, food preparation, Medicare, and more will be present.
Boundary Community Hospital's booths feature several departments: cardiopulmonary, rehabilitation, radiology, nutritional, and outpatient surgery. Medical Staff will provide the community a glimpse into some of the services that the hospital offers here in Bonners Ferry. A booth from Boundary Community Hospital’s Extended Care Facility will also be present.
A representative from the Medical Records department of the hospital will be here to assist and guide you through the health portal sign-up process if desired. The health portal allows you digital access to some of your medical records. Those records may be accessed by you anywhere you are, any time of the day or night, with a laptop, desktop, smart phone or other electronic device.
The hospital laboratory is giving a free coupon with a $79.00 value for one free Lipid Panel that identifies cholesterol in the body, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), along with a calculation of cholesterol/HDL ratio, which is one evaluation of cardiac risk. The free Lipid Panel test coupons are available for everyone. For diabetics, there is a coupon valued at $49.00 for a Hemoglobin A1C test. This is not a screening test, but a test that monitors long-term diabetic control, and for that reason, is only for diabetics. Both coupons will be good for two weeks.
A free test you may take the day of the fair is a blood-sugar test. For accuracy, do not eat or drink 12 hours prior to the test. In addition, the hospital will administer free blood pressure checks and the rehabilitation department has several interesting checks planned.
A popular feature of the fair is the plant sale by Eden Landscape where starter plants are available for purchase.
In conjunction with the Health Fair are the Bike Rodeo and the Fun Run.
The Bike Rodeo teaches bicycling safety tips for kids and includes a bicycle tune-up by Far North Outfitters, and a free helmet provided by the hospital. A parent must be present with the child, and, sorry, but helmets are only for children who are present at the bike rodeo. There will be fifty helmets given away. The Bike Rodeo begins at 9:00 a.m. and lasts until all the helmets are given away or noon—whichever is soonest.
Health Fair organizer, Marcia Morman says, “Holding with tradition, The Fun Run is free. Last year we had 139 racers. We are hoping for an even larger turnout this year, so please spread the word.”
Choose your race; a 3K a 5K and a 10K. Walking is permitted! The first 70 registrants will receive a free t-shirt.
All the races start at the same time in front of Boundary Community Clinics, across from the front door of the hospital. Registration is at 7:00 a.m.; the races start at 8:00 a.m. Early registration is encouraged. Email a request for the pre-registration form to run@bcch.org. If you pre-register, then you can go to the pre-registered line the day of the race, but, as a word of caution, still come early enough to leave time to pick up your packet. For information about the races, be sure to check out the FAQs on our website www.boundarycommunityhospital.org.
For more information on the Health Fair or any of the activities going on, call (208) 267-6912.