Health & Wellness Expo attracts all ages

MOSES LAKE - With more than 60 exhibits showcasing their products and services to promote healthy living, Saturday's Health and Wellness Expo was deemed a success by organizers. From entertainment to answers, this year's Expo offered a little something for everyone.

"This is such a great day for families both young and older to come out and obtain information on health and wellness, in such a great setting," Expo Coordinator Tera Redwine said.

The event provides an opportunity to get to know area health providers and the services they offer. It also gives people the opportunity to get answers if they're curious or concerned about their health.

Sometimes people don't want to schedule a doctor's appointment just to ask one question, Samaritan Healthcare Marketing Director Connie Opheikens said. And the expo is, "an opportunity to get those nagging questions answered," she added.

Besides brochures and information packets, providers also offered a variety of free health screenings. Dr. Grant Cox, of Elite Chiropractic in Moses Lake, provided spinal screenings, while Samaritan Clinic's Cynthia Kersey, a certified diabetes educator, offered blood sugar screenings. Kersey's goal was to raise awareness, "Out of 100 people, we're after that small percentage who might be at risk," said Kersey. "Those who are unaware and going untreated," she added.

Wanda Serrano, of Moses Lake, doesn't get her blood sugar tested regularly and said the free screening was "helpful to find out where I'm at."

Chuck and Alice Millspaugh, of Moses Lake, browsed the Confluence Health booth where Rebecca Fleming, doctor of physical therapy, had examples of proper and poor footwear on display and explained how the right shoes can help improve foot and back pain.

Alice Millspaugh said she and her husband come every year. "We always have fun," she said, adding that one year she won a walker, and her husband won a wine basket. While prize giveaways are one perk of attending the Expo, the Mallspaughs were looking forward to the seminars this year. "We came to hear the knee seminar," Alice said.

Tanya Gamble, of Moses Lake, said she also attended the event last year. "We had a good time, so we wanted to come back this year," said Gamble. Adding that it's something they [she, her husband and son] "can all do as a family." Their favorite part of they day was watching the Medstar helicopter land. "We got to check it out, and he [pointing to her son] got his picture taken in it."

Danna Yaroshchuk, 10, of Moses Lake also said her favorite part of the day was the helicopter.

Andrew Mann, metro aviation pilot, David Olmsted, registered respiratory therapist, and Jacqui West, registered nurse and paramedic, all of Spokane, were on site to show people the helicopter and answer questions. The team has stations in Moses Lake, the Tri Cities, Spokane, and their most recent location, Brewster.

"It's been a great strategic move," said Olmsted of the Brewster location. "It has cut down patient wait time significantly," he added. According to Pilot Mann, the helicopter's average speed is 120 knots, but can be faster or slower depending on if the wind is working with or against them. This allows the crew to transport patients in at least half the time it would take to drive.

While the Medstar helicopter seemed to be a highlight of many attendees' day, the trucks were also a favorite. Esai Gonzales, 6, of Moses Lake said the fire truck was the best part of the day because he got to "honk and do all the noises," he said.

Another favorite amongst the younger crowd was the Teddy Bear Clinic. The first 325 children at the Expo received a free bear. The kids brought their furry friends to the clinic for a lesson in healthy eating and various check-ups.

After naming their bear, kids made their way to the 'my plate' station. Janet Baker, of Confluence Health, used a portioned plate and toy food to demonstrate healthy eating. The goal is for the kids to see how to make healthy food choices and know it's important they're "getting something out of the four food groups," Baker said.

Next the bears got an X-ray, followed by an immunization, and lastly a general check-up where the doctor used a stethoscope to listen to the bear's heart and breathing, while kids used a knee percussor to check their bear's reflexes.

Dallie Cobb, 6, of Moses Lake brought her bear, Gingersnap, to each station. At the immunization table, the nurse gives the bear a shot, and covers the site with a bandage, however Dallie requested the bandage be removed because Gingersnap doesn't like them. Dallie's favorite part was "picking out healthy food for my bear," she said.

Face painting was another activity offered to kids by Moses Lake Pediatric Dentistry. They also gave away oral hygiene packs complete with a toothbrush, floss, and information cards on prevention and how to brush.

The goal of kid-oriented activities is to alleviate fear of the doctor's office, said Opheikens, that "fear of the unknown." She said it's about creating "positive exposure for kids," so they don't only come into contact with doctors when they're sick or hurting.

Expo Coordinator Tera Redwine thanked guests for attending and the following corporate sponsors for their support: Samaritan Healthcare, Confluence Health, Health Alliance, Columbia Basin Hospital, Moses Lake Community Health Center and Horizon Credit Union.

"We cannot wait until next year!" said Redwine.

This fun and information-filled day takes place annually on the last Saturday of September. Next year's Health and Wellness Expo will be held Sept. 26.