Elmont Online

While the doors officially opened for Assemblyman Tom Alfano’s 1st annual Health and Wellness Fair at 10:30 am this past Saturday, hundreds of community members started parking their cars well before the start time.  “the turnout is unbelievable,” said Assemblyman Alfano walking through the fair talking to resident.  “People are having a great time, they’re learning about health issues, wellness and receiving screening and consultations. As they say, this is just what the Doctor ordered for the community at large,” said the community’s Assemblyman as Marjory Duval from the Elmont Health Center was checking his blood pressure at the Elmont Health Center booth.

The entire Elmont Memorial High School gymnasium was filled with over 84 different health and wellness groups with their special demonstrations.  “Many of the exhibitors here today are people right from our community who are involved in quality health care,” said Alfano noting, “we have some of the very best Doctors, programs and services right here! ”

As residents streamed through the doors of Elmont’s gym, Assemblyman Alfano’s forty community volunteers handed residents shopping bags filled with health care information and free promotional offers. Tables were colored with green and white table cloths and balloons.  Music played throughout the gym and was provided by Elmont resident Don Simpson.

The fair was set up with three health and wellness themes.  The first oval highlighted health with local physicians and hospitals that discussed health care issues and gave free demonstrations.  The second oval was dubbed the “learning center” where people gathered information on different health and wellness issues.  The third oval was the wellness center where people learned about things they can do to improve their persona health from exercise, weight control, lifestyle changes to “wellness coaching.”

People lined up throughout the gym for free flu shots and cholesterol screenings from Dr. Max Noel. The Congressional Glaucoma Awareness Foundation had seniors and young people having their eyes tested.  Blood pressure checks were being dispensed by the Elmont Health Center.  Informational booths led Memorial Sloan Kettering, Franklin Hospital, Beth Israel’s OBGYN Unit, Nassau University Medical Center, Stonybrook Obesity Clinic, North Shore LIJ, AMHE Haitian Doctors Institute, American Red Cross, HAFALI, the Maurer Foundation, NYU Dental School, Haitian Americans United for Progress Medical Unit, Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation, New York State Nurses Association, Social Security, Mental Health Association,  Wellness by Adesha, Dr. Marie Gerard Chiropractic, EAC, South Oaks Hospital and LIJ’s Nephrology Unit were just some of the groups that informed people about different health care issues and services.

Refreshments were being served by the Elmont Memorial High School Class of 2008.  Led by student Vice-President Katrina Bowen and her team, the students also got into the act of wellness by dispensing vitamin waters, water and fruit juices to fairgoers.

“This was one of the most positive community events I have ever seen,” said Sandra Smith of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development noting, “the gym was packed all day, it had a positive feeling flowing through the gym and everyone was learning, sharing and taking part.”

Assemblyman Alfano set up the health fair to address what he termed “a real deep seeded interest in health and wellness issues in the community.”  “Today was an opportunity to receive health care coverage if you didn‘t have it, get multiple screenings from top professionals in the health care field and learn about wellness,” Alfano said adding, “there was something for everyone.”

One of the most popular booths in the fair was Floral Park’s “Wellness Center” owned by Jane Greene who provided free massage and consultations on muscle fatigue and wellness.  “This was such a great event with so many people interested in health and promoting healthy lifestyles,” said Greene who is also a registered nurse and local TV talk show host and lecturer.

The NYU “Smiling Faces- Going Places Van” made another appearance where it serviced dozens of the children by giving them free dental screenings led by Dentists at the premier Dental College in New York.  Parents lined up at the NYU table to make appointments for the free screenings. The NYU dental van’s work in the community is a cooperative effort  between the school and Assemblyman Alfano’s office.

Nassau University Medical Center provided free mammograms for women in the community.  The NUMC “Breast Cancer Mobile” was parked outside the school all day with a steady stream of community members utilizing its services.  Several breast cancer awareness groups provided information on preventative care in the fight against breast cancer such as the Maurer Foundation, JoJo Allrich and EMG health care.

Norma DeBartolo, Special Assistant for Community Affairs, said, “this was an extravaganza that the community really hungered for.  The professionals that were on site provided top quality services to everyone in the community.  When you looked around, everybody was engaged learning and participating. From one end of the gym to the other the place was filled and people were having fun.  What a day for health and wellness!”

Athletes in  throughout the area had an opportunity to get a sports physical therapy check up by Dr. Mark Diaz in Franklin Square.  Diaz had a sports therapy center at the fair and was engaged talking to athletes about healthy ways to deal with sports injuries and preventative care.

As residents walked up and down the three loop aisles in the gymnasium, residents Sally Trye and Carol Parker Duncanson talked with children and young families about dietary needs and the do’s and don’ts on nutrition.   Young people crowded the table as the duo talked about healthy snacks and drinks.  “It’s important to educate our young people so that they can make healthy decisions,” said Trye.

John Dieudonne, a student at Elmont Memorial High School remarked, “it’s really great seeing so many people learning about important issues related to health.  One thing I’ve walked away with is that a lot of the health issues we deal with are right in our own control. It’s truly up to us.”

Lorna Simpson and her group, Delta Sigma Theta, provided free blood pressure checks and consulted with women on women’s health issues.  “Its such an honor to be a part of this and to meet so many people.  It’s real exciting for the community!”

Dr. Max Noel was especially pleased with the fair.  His offices provided cholesterol screenings, flu shots and preventative health care advice to young and old.  “This is what community is all about.  It’s so refreshing to see everyone take part and share in one of the most important issues of our day- health care.”

The activities engaged everyone at the fair.  In fact, young people lined up to receive free haircuts from “NY Master Barbers” located in Franklin Square.  Students received shape-ups and cuts tailored to their own style.  Al Basinalov  of NY Master Cuts noted, “the crowds are amazing.  I’m so glad my shop came today and we got to meet so many people.”

The capstone event during the Health Fair was a special “Nurse’s Appreciation Reception” that was hosted by Assemblyman Alfano.  The reception was held in the Elmont Memorial foyer where good food and fellowship was enjoyed by all.  Music was provided by one of Elmont’s premier DJ’s-  Michael Clarke.  The reception was developed and was a first in the area, according to Alfano, to “thank and show our appreciation to our nurses.”

A special guest also dropped by the fair and honored our local Nurses in State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean Skelos.  The catered reception was a standing room only affair as over 140 nurses attended the gathering.  Alfano, Skelos and local dignitaries welcomed the nurses by giving them a red carnation to thank them for their service.

“The service all of you provide each and every day can’t be thanked enough,” said Assemblyman Alfano adding, “you are our community’s angels. You‘re always there when we need you.”  Senator Dean Skelos expressed his deep appreciation as well noting, “all of you do so much and this is our way of saying thank-you.”

Alfano’s Nursing Reception had a special honorary host committee of local nurses led by Jacqueline Grant, Icilda Innocent, Joselina Almonte Rivera, Heather Moses Clarke, Leslyn Stewart, Elza Duplessy, Michelle Duroseau and Lorna Simpson.

Highlighting the “Nurse’s Reception” was TV Talk Show Host “JoJo” Allrich who hosts a television talk show host focusing on health issues on Long Island and New York City.  Allrich owns a nursing tutorial and production business in the Elmont -Franklin Square community.  The “Oprah” of Haiti, as she is known to her vast audience, interviewed fairgoers and nurse honorees throughout the day as a prelude to her special focus show.

Other special guests also highlighted the affair, School Supts Warren Meierdiercks, Al Harper, Elmont Memorial High School Principal John Capozzi and Assemblyman Tom McKevitt were in attendance at the function.  Principal John Capozzi said, “I want to thank all of you for helping our families whether they are in a hospital or doctors office you make the difference.  Many of you have your sons and daughters who attend our school.  I’m very proud of Elmont and I want to say thank you to all of you!”

Supt. Al Harper noted, “when I drove up here today, you couldn’t find a spot to park anywhere around Elmont Memorial. That just goes to show how much this community cares about health care.  And, on behalf of our community I want to thank our host, Assemblyman Alfano for putting this day together.  Let’s all remember what this is  about- it about the young people and our community today.”

The Health and Wellness Fair was termed an outstanding success according to Assemblyman Tom Alfano.  “I want to thank everyone for coming out here today and making such a positive contribution to our community’s health and wellness.”  State Senator Dean Skelos added, “remember what you learned here today and to everyone I say ‘good health’.”