Wellness Fair Draws Crowds Looking for Health Tips

Even with snow drifts piled high around the  limiting parking options, area residents flocked to the  to take advantage of free health screenings, classes and demonstrations offered by St. James Hospital and Health Centers.

“We had them lined up out the door and down the sidewalk when we opened at 9 a.m.,” said Mary Canino, Frankfort community relations manager.

“We actually did a number system this year,” said Jeff Lebioda, senior brand specialist for St. James Hospital, who served as the emcee for the event. 

“People can get their number (for the screenings) and then sit and relax, have coffee and juice or go to a class," he added, eyeing the still full waiting area at 11 a.m. "And this year, we’re staying past 12 until everyone has been seen." 

From glucose and cholesterol screenings, which Canino said were the most popular, to a bone density scan for postmenopausal women to a quick chair massage, St. James offered a wide range of screening tools, demonstrations and classes throughout the morning.

Friends Rose Tobias and Arlene Duensing of Crete and Paulette McGuire of Frankfort attended the class on Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Risks and Prevention. The women said the session was very informative, adding that the speaker focused more on preventative care.

“But the doctor was there, too,” Tobias said. “And she answered everybody’s questions about test results and what they mean. That’s really what people wanted to know about, so it was good she was there.”

Also answering questions was registered dietician Jaqui Conter, who prepared three different healthy dishes and passed out samples. Conter served a goat cheese dip, a fat free chocolate pudding pie and a Mediterranean salad, which disappeared early. Not even recipe copies remained.

To create the popular dish, Conter tossed fresh greens, fresh parsley, tomatoes and cucumber with a spiced up Italian dressing and then mixed in cooked bulgar.

“Bulgar is a big staple in the Mediterranean diet,” Conter said. “I love it because it’s super easy to prepare, has a lot of fiber and some protein. It also will absorb the flavors you put with it.”

For more information on St. James Hospital and Health Centers, physicians or other wellness services, check out the hospital's website.