Hospital sponsors health fair
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

Geraldine Wickman, director of the Upstate Carolina Medical Center's Intensive Care Unit, gives teachers and other school district employees one of the many brochures distributed at the hospital's health fair Friday.

Hundreds of Cherokee County teachers and school district employees made the most of their day off Friday, attending a health fair sponsored by Upstate Carolina Medical Center (UCMC) at Gaffney High School.

In its more than 15 years of existence, the health fair has offered a number of services for district employees. This year was no different as employees were showered with gifts along with expert advice from medical professionals.

"We offer a lot of services for teachers and district personnel that they both enjoy and believe is important," hospital CEO Joel Howell said.

"From the responses we received from district employees, this is one of the events they really love and appreciate."

As part of a partnership between UCMC and the school district, teachers and other district personnel are eligible for free lab work at the hospital. Physicians devoted part of their busy schedules to speak with district employees about those lab results from blood and glucose tests given to detect infections, blood anemia, high cholesterol and diabetes.

"This event gives employees the chance to learn what their test results mean and how they affect their future," Upstate Carolina Medical Center Public Relations Director Steve Wong said.

"It is our goal to raise awareness on these issues," Alice Walker, risk management director for Upstate Carolina Medical Center, said. "A lot of these teachers are getting to the age where it is important to be screened for these diseases ... the earlier it is diagnosed is always better."

After leaving their meetings with physicians, district employees were able to visit one of the approximately 50 booths available at the fair. Employees could get their blood pressure checked, undergo a body fat measurement and receive information on a variety of topics.

The hospital continued its game of testing teachers with a series of true/false questions. Teachers had to complete the quiz before they were allowed to claim their prize - a first aid kit composed of more than 133 items.

'Last year, we started this quiz and the teachers really liked it," Walker said. "It gives everyone a chance to be a winner and puts people usually in the position of giving tests in the hot seat."