Healthy Archuleta
The Archuleta Health Fair and Expo is this Saturday, Oct. 21, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pagosa Springs High School.
And we have breaking news: New community services have been added to the Archuleta Health Fair and Expo.
First, MET (Archuleta County’s Mountain Express Transit) is offering free transportation from Arboles at 7:30 a.m. (pickup at TARA Community Center) and from Aspen Springs starting at 7:45 a.m. (pickups at the fire Station, Stollsteimer and Oakridge). Interested folks need only call (970) 264-8441 to reserve a spot.
The community continues to step up with beneficial health services to add to the low-cost wellness labs and the plan to connect community members with primary preventative care. These health services will be available from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and include free hearing tests provided by Hurst Hearing, a mobile vaccine clinic provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and rapid antibody HIV and Hepatitis C testing provided by the Children’s Hospital Rural Prevention Team.
The only preregistration required of participants is for the labs and the low-cost Farm to Table lunch featuring locally/regionally available food.
Preregistration is quick and easy; just follow the prompts at https://www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org/archuleta-health-fair-and-expo.html. But, do it now to be sure you have a spot. You can preregister for a 30-minute time slot for your labs to minimize waiting in line. Sign up for the time that works best for you between 7 and 10 a.m.
Wondering how the first ever Archuleta Health Fair and Expo got started? Healthy Archuleta initiated the conversation, and then in partnership with the Archuleta County Public Health Department and Pagosa Springs Area Chamber of Commerce and with support from the local health care organizations and Labcorp, it is happening. It’s another wonder of small town life.
In addition to the above, what else is happening? Here’s the schedule:
• 7-10 a.m.: Blood draws for wellness labs.
• 7-11:20 a.m.: Connect with health care providers (Pagosa Springs Medical Center, Pagosa Medical Group and Axis Health).
• 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Child care (limited spots available).
• 7-8 a.m.: Sunrise yoga with Margaret.
• 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Vendors and exhibitors (wellness and farmers market).
• 7:30-10:00 a.m.: Food demos with local chefs featuring local and regional ingredients.
• 7:30-11:20 a.m.: Children- and youth-centered activities.
• 8-11:20 a.m.: Concurrent health, wellness and nutrition sessions.
• 8:30-10 a.m.: High school growing dome tours.
• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Farm to Table luncheon, land acknowledgment and keynote presentation.
Another prime objective of the Health Fair is to feature locally or regionally available food through food demos, the Farm to Table lunch and the Pagosa Farmers Market vendors. Here participants will be introduced to new ideas about how to serve these easily obtained foods instead of the well-traveled foods that have been shipped in.
And there is more. Following is a list of the health, wellness and nutrition topics that will be available. The variety will be sure to interest a wide spectrum of folks and the opportunity to have questions answered is there. The schedule for these topics will be available Saturday at the fair.
Presentations include:
• “Cultural and Traditional Practices of Food and Health” — Isaac Julian Sr.
• “Whole Body Wellness” — Jackie Rea, P.T., Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Dr. Scott Anderson, D.C.
• “Diet, Physical Activity, Sleep, and Primary Healthcare: Pathway to Health” — Julie Buchner, M.D.
• “Cooking to Promote Health and Wellness” — Ana Smith and Carolynn Ritermann, RDN.
• “Partnering with Primary Care Providers: What can I expect from annual visits, labs, and services” — Amber Reiss-Holt, M.D.
• “Navigating the Finances of Health Care: Local Healthcare Agencies Supporting Community” — Cassandra Smith and Debbie Campbell.
• “Navigating the Finances of Health Care” — Angelene Talamantes with Hometown Insurance; Caryn Hill with San Juan Basin Area on Aging; Doug McCarthy, health care advocate, Local First Foundation in Partnership with Peak Health Alliance.
• “Supporting the Mental Health of our Youth” — Stacey Foss, Authentic Solutions.
• “Family Health and Wellness: Meeting the Different Needs” – Phillip Zappone, FNP-C.
• “Lifetime Fitness: A Facilitated Conversation with Youth” — Amanda Godomski, Town of Pagosa Springs.
• “The Big C: Cancer and What Do I Need to Know About It” — David Shaeffer, M.D., MPH, keynote speaker.
And if that is not enough, participants will also find wellness vendors, growers and producers with products and/or information they may find helpful. Wander about; ask questions; see what’s available and whether or not it is useful.
Those interested are urged to preregister for labs and lunch on the Healthy Archuleta website and take advantage of this health supporting event. While on that website, you are encouraged to take a look at the range of community sponsors; it is impressive. For more information on the Archuleta Health Fair and Expo, please visit https://www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org/archuleta-health-fair-and-expo.html.
