Health Fair returns this Saturday

The Petersburg Medical Center Health Fair is returning for the first time in four years this Saturday in the community gym.

The in-person fair, organized by the Community Wellness team, will feature speakers, booths, prizes, and more.

After its cancelation in 2020 because of the pandemic, this year's theme is "getting back on track" with the hope of returning focus to preventative care such as annual health checks, something that many set aside while spending the last two years mitigating COVID-19.

"The theme seemed very fitting to getting back on track not only for PMC to be getting back on track of being able to offer a health fair but also for community members," Community Wellness Coordinator Julie Walker said.

Leading up to the event, PMC has been hosting blood draws and have tested over 500 people.

Tests results were made available on the hospital's patient portal within 24 hours and people could also sign up to receive a paper copy of their test results at the health fair.

The fair will have a traditional setup with booths in the community gym and will host blood pressure screenings, a booth on locally grown recipes, information on medevacs, Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL), and a Zumba class under covered area at 9 a.m.

Booths in the community gym will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Headlining the event is ultramarathon runner and motivational speaker Carol Seppilu who will talk about how running helps her overcome depression.

She was recently featured in The Moth Radio Hour on NPR and will be giving two talks-one for teens and young adults at 11:30 a.m. and one for the general community at 1:30 p.m.

PMC's own Dr. Jennifer Hyer and Dr. Selina Burt will also speak-Hyer will break down what the blood draw results mean and Burt will discuss how to cut sodium from your diet while keeping flavor.

There will also be a talk from Home Health on caregiver burnout and stress reduction at 9:30 a.m.

Talks will be held every hour starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Parks and Recreation activity room though the final keynote address at 1:30 p.m. will be held in the Wright Auditorium.

Those in attendance can also enter into grand prize drawings for two trips to the Anan Wildlife Observatory donated by Muddy Water Adventures.

The winners will be announced at the keynote talk and must be present to win.

Masking will be recommended at the event but not required.