April 14, 2004

Contact:
Barbra Gonzalez, Associate Director
(954) 262-5354
Mara Kiffin, Assistant Director
(954) 262-5350

Fourth Annual Community Health Fair Offers Free Screenings
NSU's Health Professions Division And Florida Osteopathic Medical Association Sponsor Event

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - The Fourth Annual Community Health Fair, sponsored by Nova Southeastern University's (NSU's) Health Professions Division and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association (FOMA,) will be held on Saturday, April 24 from 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Tower Shops/Home Depot Plaza, located on University Drive at 595 in Davie.

The Health Fair will feature health checks and professional consultations for children and adults, including vision, dental, blood pressure, and diabetes screenings. There will be no charge for screenings, or for any consultation with a university-level professional.

“Visitors to the health fair will have a wonderful opportunity to speak to professionals from our Colleges of Pharmacy, Allied Health and Nursing, Osteopathic Medicine, Optometry, and Dental Medicine – free of cost,” said Morton Morris, D.O., J.D., vice chancellor for professional affairs. “This is one way in which we give something back to our community.”

NSU's physicians, pharmacists, optometrists, physical therapists, dentists, and other health care providers will staff the booths, along with students from various colleges in the Health Professions Division. Graduate students will sch edu le screening appointments and assist in evaluations, and pharmacists from NSU's Clinic Pharmacy will be available to offer medication interaction consultations. The health fair will also feature experts in family medicine, audiology, pediatrics, occupational therapy, public health, and geriatrics.

According to event supervisor Christopher Siano, D.O., firefighters from the Broward County Fire Department will be on hand throughout the day to greet children, giving them a rare opportunity to talk with some real local “heroes.” A bloodmobile will also be on site for those who wish to donate blood to the local hospital system.

NSU's Aramark Dining Services has generously donated hamburgers, hot dogs, garden burgers, sodas, and all the trimmings for a “Davie-style Barbecue.” The cookout will begin at 11:30 a.m. and continue while supplies last.

“Last year we had 15 booths,” said Lior Shamai, event coordinator for the NSU/FOMA Health Fair. “This year, we are hoping to make the health fair bigger and provide every more services to the community.”

For more information about the Fourth Annual NSU/FOMA Health Fair, please contact Lior Shamai at (954) 684-2222 or Lshamai@nsu.nova.edu