Even younsters found the Health Fair interesting.

(BRADENTON, FL - April 5, 2007) Eileen Converse moved to Manatee County from Massachusetts in January and she now works as a guidance counselor at Palm View Elementary in Palmetto.

On Thursday, April 5, Eileen and her husband were among hundreds of school district employees and their family members who attended the 2007 Employee Health Fair at the Manatee Convention and Civic Center.

More than 30 health-related companies and organizations participated in the Health Fair, which allowed district employees and family members to get questions answered about health-related topics and to get free health screenings for cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, vision, PSA's and more. In most cases, the employees were able to get the results of the health screenings in a matter of minutes.

“I think the Health Fair is great and it shows the kind of support the school district has for its employees,” Eileen said, as she waited in line to talk to representatives from BlueCross BlueShield of Florida. “Since I haven't lived here long, I don't have a doctor. By coming to the Health Fair and taking advantage of the free screenings, I hope to get a clean bill of health and to get some guidance on finding a physician.”

The Health Fair ran from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and employees who attended were also eligible for a sizable number of health-related door prizes and giveaways.

Tiffany Coury, Director of Business Development for Manatee Memorial Hospital, answered questions at her company's booth, which offered district employees free screenings for stress, bone density and hand grip.

“Manatee Memorial Hospital is participating in the Health Fair because we like to get involved in our community,” Coury said. “We want the school district employees to know that we are partners in their health care and that we are here to assist them in any way we can.”

Forrest Branscomb, Risk Manager for the District, said there are a number of factors that inspire the district to hold the Health Fair each year.

“If you are not healthy you can't do your best work so we feel the health of our employees directly relates to our students education,” Branscomb said. “Also, the cost of health care continues to rise and one way we can help confront the rising cost is to concentrate more on prevention.”

Lots of health care organizations took part.

Not far from where Branscomb spoke, Rosario Silva sat in a chair getting her finger poked by a needle so she could have her cholesterol tested. Even though the needle prick was slightly painful, Silva said she didn't mind.

“This is a great opportunity for school district employees to learn about their health and well being,” said Rosario, who is a Home School Liaison. “It's good to know that the School Board takes care of its employees.”

Rosario Silva gets her blood checked.

Sponsors - BlueCross BlueShield of Florida; U.S. HealthWorks; Salazar Consulting Group, Inc.; L B Bryan & Company; Waters Risk Management; Med-Vision, LLC; OHC Environmental Engineering; First Florida Insurers of Tampa, Inc.; Coca-Cola.

Participating Organizations - American Cancer Society; American Diabetes Association; American Heart Association; American Red Cross - Manatee County Chapter; Arthritis Foundation; BlueCross BlueShield of Florida; Chair Massagers; Chandler is Magic - Master of Ceremony; Children's Therapy Solutions, Inc.; Cortez Foot and Ankle Specialists; Curves for Women; Delta Dental Insurance Company; Diabetes Wellness and Support Group - SDMC; East West Health Center; Florida Blood Services; Lifestyle Family Fitness; Manatee County Health Department; Manatee Family YMCA; Manatee Glenns; Manatee Healthcare System; Bay Area Foot & Ankle; New Balance Sarasota; Project Heart; Ryder Bikes; Sanctuary at the Park; SDMC Food & Nutrition Services; Spotted Dog Fitness; The Eye Associates; University Park Dermatology; Weight Watchers of Tampa Bay; Wellness Concepts of Florida.