Hispanic Wellness Fair Scheduled for Aug. 5, Bilingual Volunteers Needed
The eighth annual Hispanic Wellness Fair will take place Saturday, Aug. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Amon Carter Exhibits Hall, Will Rogers Memorial Complex.Fair organizers are currently seeking bilingual volunteers who are fluent in both English and Spanish. Volunteers are needed to assist with some of the screening services, and volunteers are also needed to hand out packages, fill out forms, and set-up and breakdown booths.
The wellness fair is sponsored by UNT Health Science Center, UNTHSC School of Public Health, UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, PacifiCare, Secure Horizons, Telemundo, Baylor All Saints Medical Center, Cook Childrens Health Plan, Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, Pfizer Inc., Coca Cola Bottling Company,Cuidado Casero, JPS Health Network, Tarrant County Medical Society Alliance Foundation, Bank of America, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., BNSF Railway Company, EECU, Fort Worth Public Health Department, Hispanic Healthcare Professionals Association (HISPA), Tarrant County Public Health Department, UTA School of Nursing, Univision Radio, Spring Creek Barbeque, Panchos Mexican Buffet, Diario La Estrella, El Hispano News, and Panorama Newspaper.
Over 20,000 screenings and services were provided during last year’s fair, including vision exams, prostate cancer screenings, HIV/AIDS tests, respiratory screenings, dental exams, mammograms, glucose tests, immunizations for children, diabetes screenings, nutrition screenings and osteopathic manipulative treatment.
School supplies and bicycle helmets will also be distributed at the fair, and children’s activities will be available throughout the day.
“I think this is an important service that we provide for those who don’t have medical insurance or access to medical care,” said Adela Gonzalez, PhD, MPA, vice president for community affairs and institutional diversity at the health science center and one of the founders of the Hispanic Wellness Fair.
The fair has continued to grow in its seven-year history, having started with about 2,000 participants in 1999.
“I think the reason that the fair has been so successful is that nobody owns it. It is truly a community event,” Dr. Gonzalez said.
Attendance at last year’s Hispanic Wellness Fair exceeded 15,000, with people lining the sidewalks of the Will Rogers Convention Center beginning at 6 a.m. to wait for the doors to open.
For more information on the seventh annual Hispanic Wellness Fair, call 817-735-5087 or log on to the website at www.hsc.unt.edu/annual/HWF.
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Contact: Kay Colley 817-735-2553, cell 817-980-5090, e-mail kacolley@hsc.unt.edu.
If you are with the media and need additional information or would like to arrange an interview, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 817-735-2446.
