On Friday, March 17 Nell J. Redfield Memorial Hospital sponsored the “Malad Community Health and Wellness Fair” at the Malad High School gymnasium.  The location had been changed from the Event Center as a result of muddy parking lot conditions.

The event provided a number of preventative health screenings, as well as resources and information covering a wide range of health issues.  Many representatives of the hospital itself and the clinic were on hand, as well as other local and regional service providers.  

Hospital director John Williams expressed thanks to the school for allowing the event to be held there on short notice, and stated that he felt the event had gone well.  Community Relations Manager Kathy Hubbard backed up the sentiment.  “It’s been pretty steady all morning,” she said.

Local health care providers were on hand in force, including as Registered Dietician Pamela Mills, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Tyson Daniels, Speech Therapist Shayna Waldron, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Jody Owens, Malad Valley Dental Clinic, and many others.  

Local health care related businesses and organizations were also represented, including Allen Drug, Malad Medical Supply, the Senior Center, Labyrinth Assessment and Behavior Services, the Crisis Center, and ATC, among others. 

The event also brough in regional services, such as Southeastern Idaho Public Health Department, the Southeast Idaho Council of Governments (Sicog), the Area Agency on Aging, Hands of Hope, Pocatello Regional Transit, the Department of Environmental Quality, Symbii, Idaho Boomers, and the ISU Practical Nursing program.  

According to Kathy Hubbard, the purpose of the Fair was to raise awareness of the kinds of services that are offered in the valley, many of which are underutilized.  Alisa Vineyard of Portneuf Health Partners, who was conducting hearing screening throughout the morning, agreed.  “A lot of people suspect that have some hearing loss, but they never get it tested until it’s a big problem.  We’re hoping to get people in earlier.”

The gym was still fairly full as the event wrapped up, underlining the interest in the community for health care services.