Dearborn County Hospital and the Miami Center are co-hosting Health-A-Fair at the Miami Center, 8 North Miami Avenue, Cleves, Ohio, on Saturday, April 12, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.  The event will offer a wide range of health screenings, exhibits and learning centers for those 18 years of age and older.

“Health-A-Fair at the Miami Center is a joint effort between Dearborn County Hospital and our community center,” explained Ken Reidel, Miami Center Director.  “We really appreciate the opportunity to work with Dearborn County Hospital in providing health screenings and information for the residents of Southwestern Ohio and Southeastern Indiana.

“Cleves has a long history of hosting a spring health fair.  This is our 24th year to hold a health fair in Cleves and our fifth year to co-host with DCH,” added Mr. Reidel.  “The Health-A-Fair is comprised of both hospital and community sponsored exhibits and screenings.  By working together we are able to offer a larger and more diverse health fair.”

As at past Health-A-Fairs, an optional blood chemistry analysis, including an HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio, will be offered.  New this year, individuals wishing to have blood drawn for the blood chemistry analysis must provide the name and current address of their personal physician.  This information must be provided when the individual registers, whether it be at a pre-registration site or at the Miami Center on the day of the fair.  The fee for the blood chemistry analysis is $25.  Results of the analysis will be mailed to both the participant and their physician for follow-up.  Individuals are reminded to bring the name and address of their physician with them.

For the most accurate results, a 12 hour fast immediately before the screening is recommended.  Fasting is usually described as nothing to eat or drink except black coffee, plain tea, water and necessary medications.  Persons with diabetes or those who are under a physician’s care should consult their physician before fasting.  Individuals who require food or beverages other than water to be taken with their medications during the fasting period also may wish to consult their personal physician.

Also available to Health-A-Fair participants is a prostate cancer screening.  Interested men may elect to have blood drawn for a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening at the same time blood is being obtained for the chemistry analysis.  As with the blood chemistry analysis, those wishing to have blood drawn for the PSA must provide the name and current address of their personal physician at the time of pre-registration or registration.  The cost of the PSA is $10 per person.  Results of the PSA will be mailed to both the participant and their physician for follow-up.  Individuals do not have to take part in the blood chemistry analysis to participate in the PSA screening.

Participants are strongly encouraged to contact their urologist or family physician as soon as possible in regard to their PSA findings.  Based on individual patient information, physicians may recommend that participants make appointments for digital examinations.

Health-A-Fair at the Miami Center will also offer a number of free health screenings courtesy of Dearborn County Hospital, including pulmonary function, blood oxygen saturation and blood pressure, along with take home colorectal cancer screening kits.  A Three Rivers area dentist, Donald Willen, D.D.S., will provide free oral screenings.  In addition, a wide variety of educational displays and learning centers will be offered.

Some of the exhibitors include Steven Scheiner, M.D., Board Certified in Pain Medicine; Dearborn County Hospital New Vision medical stabilization service for substance abuse; and the LifeCenter Organ Donor Network.  Also participating will be departments from Dearborn County Hospital, including Cardiac Rehabilitation, Nutrition Services, Physical Therapy at the DCH Harrison Outpatient Diagnostic Center, Pulmonary Rehabilitation/Better Breathers and the Subacute Unit.  DCH will also offer its Vial of Life program free of charge. 

All screening results obtained at the Health-A-Fair should be used as supplemental information by the participant.  They do not replace and should not be considered a substitute for an examination by a physician.

Registration is available at the door, however, pre-registration is recommended.  Interested individuals may pre-register at the Miami Center from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays or in the Community Relations Department of Dearborn County Hospital from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays through Thursday, April 10.

During the day of the Health-A-Fair, limited parking will be available at the Miami Center with additional parking at the Cleves Presbyterian Church on State Road.  Shuttle service between the church and the center will be provided the morning of the Health-A-Fair.

If you would like additional information on the Health-A-Fair at the Miami Center, please call Dearborn County Hospital at (812) 537-8190 or (800) 676-5572, ext. 8190, or the Miami Center at (513) 941-2854.