Nathaniel Dayes and Simi Gupta, '06, staff the "Parenting" table.
On March 13, the 2004 Healthy People Community Health Fair for women, men and children was held at the Hans Christian Anderson Complex (P.S. 242). The all-day, free-admission event, organized by the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) and co-sponsored by the Boricua Latino Health Organization (BLHO) of Weill Cornell, offered free screenings, medical information, healthy snacks and lots of fun activities for the Harlem community. SNMA and BLHO medical students from Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), and other NYC-based medical schools also participated.
Hundreds of people attended the annual event to have their blood pressure and cholesterol checked. Many of the children enjoyed getting their faces painted in the "Kids Korner" or playing with the coloring books on fire safety and child safety donated by NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell's William Randolph Hearst Burn Unit, the FDNY and the NYPD. Children were also visibly pleased when "McGruff the Crime Dog" made his appearance. Additionally, The Medical College's "Cooking Club" provided attendees with health snacks and even hosted a healthy cooking demonstration.
In addition to Weill Cornell medical students, many community organizations volunteered their time advising attendees on quality-of-life issues, including helpful ways to reduce stress, and answered other health-related questions. Members from the NewYork-Presbyterian Community Health Plan were also present.
(The heath fair was named after former President Bill Clinton's 2010 health initiative, which set a national goal of eliminating longstanding disparities in health concerns affecting racial and ethnic minority groups by the same year.)
Melissa Coleman, '07, shows off her face-painting skills while working in the "Kids Korner."
A student from UMDNJ performs a free dental screening.