10/20/2006

Contact: K.E. Schwab  -- 724-738-2199;  e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu

 ANNUAL SRU HEALTHFEST TO OFFER HEALTH SCREENINGS, INFORMATION TO COMMUNITY   

     SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Nearly four dozen health-related exhibitors will show their products and more than a dozen health-service firms will offer specific health-problem screenings when Slippery Rock University offers its 21st annual “HealthFest 2006” on Oct. 24 in the Robert N. Aebersold Student Recreation Center.

     The program, open to the entire Slippery Rock community, runs 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

      “This is an opportunity for students to learn more about healthy lifestyles, and community members to learn more about services and health-related services available in the region. And it’s a chance to receive health screenings on everything from eyes and bones to cholesterol and depression,” says Brian Mortimer, coordinator of Wellness and the Russell Wright Fitness Center at the recreation center and director of the HealthFest program. The program also gives SRU students studying in health-related fields a chance to showcase their knowledge and share it with the community as part of their education, Mortimer explains.

     The annual event offers visitors opportunities to learn about body composition, healthy snacks, osteoporosis, and the benefits of Reiki therapy. Also offered will be sessions on personal care and nursing homes.

      Flu shots will be available free to SRU students with ID through SRU’s McLaughlin Student Health Center at the event, with the general public offered flu shots through the Visiting Nurses of Western Pennsylvania. Senior citizens using the VNWP service will use Medicare Part B, Security Blue and Freedom Blue as payment; others will pay $30, with a $5 discount for self pay. SRU faculty and staff who have previously signed up for the inoculations will receive their vaccinations at a later date.

      The event will also offer an 11 a.m. performance of Line Dancing by the Slippery Rock Senior Center, a 12:40 p.m. “Dance Express” performance and the SRU cheerleaders will perform at 12:45 p.m. The SRU Jazz Combo, directed by Terry Steele, associate professor of music, will perform at 12:55 p.m.

       Campus-related participants offering screenings and services will include AVI Food Systems, the campus contract food vendor, will offer healthy snacks and information, the Exercise Science Society, will offer body fat and blood pressure screenings, Outdoor Adventures, will offer information on the SRU Climbing Wall, and those in the SRU physical therapy program will offer a series of screenings. SRU-related participants offering information will include the SRU Athletic Training Association, Bailey Library, Bridge Project, Counseling Center, Women’s Center, parks and recreation department, Exercise Science / Worksite Wellness, Gerontology Program / Sigma Phi Omega, SACA (Strength and Conditioning Association) and Hope Peer Educators.

       Outside agencies participating, include Butler Memorial Hospital, osteoporosis screening; Center for Personal Growth, Reiki therapy and Massage Therapy chair massages ($3 fee for 10 minutes for students and senior citizens; $5 for all others); Grove City Medical Center, bioelectric impedance analysis for body composition; Grove Manor Nursing Home and Personal Care, blood pressure screenings; Jameson Health System, cholesterol screening; Jameson Behavioral Health Unit, depression screenings; Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania, lupus screening; PPHA-CC, hand washing screenings; Vitality Foodservice, Inc., juice samples; and Wal-Mart Vision Center, vision screenings.

       Other health agencies participating will include the American Association for Retired People, Aebersold Student Recreation Center, Adagio Health, AIG Valic, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Autumn Grove Care Center, Butler County Children’s Center Inc., Butler Lions Club, Center for Community Resources, Inc., Children’s Home of Pittsburgh, Childcare Information Services of Butler County, Chiropractic Care Center, Community Health Challenge, CORE (Center for Organ Recovery and Education), Free Life International, Irene Stacy Community Mental Health, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), Mental Health Association in Butler County, NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness), Orchard Manor, Inc., Overlook Medical Clinic, Quality Life Services, Slippery Rock Senior Center, Taekwondo America, Trinity Living Center, UMADD, United Community Hospital and Weight Watchers.

 PN, PGN, WPN, PR

HealthFest06.kes.doc