ATHENS, Ohio -- In honor of Martin Luther King Day, Hocking College, in collaboration with Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, will host a community health fair, "A Festival of Celebrations: Culture, Food and Wellness." This fair will take place in the culturally rich and racially diverse village of Kilvert at the Kilvert Community Center Jan. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
"Having the health fair is a great way to honor Martin Luther King as well as, in the spirit of Dr. King, address the health-care needs of the people of Kilvert," said Dale Minor, counselor and Alcohol and Drug Education Program coordinator at Hocking College and a co-planner of the event. "Kilvert is rural community that has limited access to heath-care services and will benefit from the health screenings, immunizations and health education services provided by the volunteers."
Elizabeth Minor, academic enrichment administrator for the Center of Excellence for Multicultural Medicine at OU-COM, jointly planned the event with her husband, Dale. They chose to host the event in Kilvert, a rural community about 15 miles east of Athens because of its unique ethnic mix, comprised largely of peoples of American Indian, African American and European descent.
"We chose the title, "A Festival of Celebrations," because this is not just another health fair. It's a very special event that combines many of the ideals, values and the spirit of Martin Luther King Day," the Minors said.
Kilvert's diverse population probably has an origin that predates the Civil War. "When I visited Kilvert several years ago," said Carl Denbow, Ph.D., OU-COM director of communication, "I was told by some of its residents that many people of the community trace their heritage to the pre-Civil War era when the slave state of Virginia was just across the Ohio River."
It was also a "stop" on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. People from the nearby community of Cutler, which also has a strong African American heritage in its population, are invited to attend as well.
Health screenings will be provided by about 20 student volunteers from OU-COM and Hocking College's School of Health and Nursing, under the direction of Harold C. Thompson III, D.O., OU-COM professor of family medicine; Kathy Trace, R.N., director of OU-COM Community Service Programs; and Molly Weiland, R.N., Ph.D., dean of Hocking College's School of Health and Nursing. Health services provided will include blood pressure readings, glucose and cholesterol checks, immunizations, and breast, cervical and prostate cancer education. A variety of additional health education topics of interest to children and adults will also be presented by the volunteers.
All health screenings, immunizations and food are free. Volunteers and community members will have an opportunity at the end of the day to share what they gained from the experience.
The OU-COM Mobile Health Unit will be at the Kilvert Community Center parking lot from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. to provide the screenings and health education information. The unit will return in the spring for a follow-up day of pap and prostate screenings.
"I'm honored to help provide these services for the Kilvert community on Martin Luther King Day. This really helps to commemorate the work of Dr. King and his dedication to bringing people together with the common focus of community service," Thompson said.
Irene Flowers, director of the Kilvert Community Center, anticipates the health fair could serve as many as 60 community members. Families should plan to bring their children and come to enjoy the festivities.
Between noon and 1:30 p.m., a very special program will take place for all participants. It will include cultural cuisine prepared and served by Hocking College's nationally recognized Culinary Arts Program under the direction of Master Chef Chuck Steadman. It will also feature live music and oral traditions from the members of the Kilvert community. The goal for this program and the health fair is to promote cultural exchange between community members and service providers.
The Minors hope the health fair will become an annual event to commemorate MLK Day. "It's a great opportunity for both institutions of higher education to collaborate and for OU-COM to fulfill its mission to serve underserved rural communities."
The Festival of Celebrations is co-sponsored by OU-COM's Student National Medical Association, Center of Excellence for Multicultural Medicine and the Area Health Education Center in keeping with their commitment to improving health-care services for the underserved.
