Open Door Family Medical Center hosted the Healthier Mamaroneck Access to Care Health Fair on Saturday, August 3rd from 10 AM – 2 PM at Open Door Mamaroneck (689 Mamaroneck Avenue). Attendees had the opportunity to receive free health screenings for blood pressure, BMI, vision and diabetes, confidential HIV testing, and COVID vaccinations, as well as a variety of wellness resources from several community-based organizations who were present.
The health fair was open to the public and organized by the Healthier Mamaroneck Coalition Planning Committee, with a focus on the Spanish-speaking immigrant community. It featured a live DJ, arts mobile, raffles, giveaways, a balloon artist, and a bubble show. Backpacks were provided by MVP Health Care and distributed to all children who scheduled a well visit at Open Door.
The Healthier Mamaroneck Access to Care Health Fair was held in partnership with members of a coalition including the Alzheimer’s Association, Community Resource Center, Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club, Mercy University, MVP Health Care, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Offices of State Senator Shelley B. Mayer and Assemblyman Steve Otis, Open Door Family Medical Center, Rye YMCA, Village of Mamaroneck, Village of Mamaroneck Parks & Recreation, and Westchester County Government: George Latimer, County Executive and Sherlita Amler, MD, Commissioner, Department of Health and White Plains Hospital.
Sponsors of this year’s health fair included White Plains Hospital, ArchCare, Community Resource Center, Mercy University, Mama Village Wellness, Open Door Family Medical Center, MVP Health Care, Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club and the Cancer Support Team.
“This health fair served as an opportunity to answer the health-related questions of attendees and helpede identify potential health issues as early as possible,” said Marilyn Pacheco, Director of Marketing & Community Relations at Open Door. “Education and prevention, after all, are critical in keeping the members of our community healthy. As we kicked off National Health Center Week (August 4 – 10), we supported this year’s theme “Powering Communities Through Caring Connections,” which focused on empowering communities by connecting them with health centers and elected officials from all levels of government. We aimed to reach as many community members as possible.”
“A child’s education is a significant social determinant of health that can have a great impact over the course of their lifetime,” added Deborah Brundage, MVP Health Care’s Chief Marketing and Sales Officer. “By equipping them with backpacks, these children are provided an essential asset that supports their daily learning experience. We are proud to support and partner with Open Door and the Healthier Mamaroneck Coalition Planning Committee and look forward to building healthy communities through education and wellness.”
The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), which represents community health centers around the country including Open Door, sponsorsNational Health Center Week (NHCW) every August to celebrate and increase awareness of America’s 1,400 community health centers (CHCs). National Health Center Week is an opportunity to highlight the commitment and passion of community health center staff, board members, and supporters who make it possible to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare services to more than 31.5 million patients across nearly 15,000 communities annually. NACHC was founded in 1971 to “promote efficient, high quality, comprehensive health care that is accessible, culturally and linguistically competent, community directed, and patient-centered for all.” The first community health centers (originally called Neighborhood Health Centers) were funded in the 1960s as a demonstration project under the Federal Office of Economic Opportunity, the lead federal agency in President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty.
We extend our gratitude to all who made this event a success!
For the full photo gallery, please visit our Facebook page.
