EDINBURG, Texas - DHR Health recently hosted its 15th Annual Community Health Fair at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance.
The event was free and open to the public. Free health screenings and valuable wellness information sessions were available, led by DHR Health physicians.
Free screenings were available to check blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. Those attending could also check to see if they had diabetes or skin cancer. They could also have a fibroscan, a non-invasive ultrasound that measures liver stiffness and inflammation. Vision screenings were also available.
The Rio Grande Guardian asked Dr. Sonya R. Montes, an internal medicine specialist with DHR, why the community health fair was important.
“Our community health fairs were created to encourage health awareness, to increase education, to improve access to health screenings and increase preventative care, which is so important,” Montes said.
“These community health fairs are great because, not only do we offer screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, fiber scans, glucose, vision screenings, etc., but they're also educational, where we provide education to patients on behavioral health, dental health, medical weight loss, nutrition education, women's health, education, and much more.”
In addition to those mentioned by Montes, physicians were on hand to talk about hospice care, rehabilitation services, and kidney transplant services.
“These health fairs are a great opportunity for patients to obtain screenings and education. We also offer services for them to be able to establish care with a primary care provider. Should they not have one, we would be happy to establish care and offer all of their preventative health screenings and routine physicals that are needed.”
Montes said DHR Health is committed to providing access to high quality care, where patients’ concerns and needs are put first. She said the health system helps empowers individuals with preventative health knowledge, equipping them to make informed decisions to take control of their health and well-being.
“If you need a healthcare provider come and see us. Our services include routine and preventative health exams. We also offer chronic disease management for your diabetes, osteoarthritis, hypertension and much more. We also offer women's health services such as obtaining your Pap smears and mammograms. Other services that we provide are weight management education, and nutrition education. We offer vaccinations, imaging services, chronic disease management, and preventative health referral to specialists. Our internal medicine clinic offers same day or next day appointments."
Montes added: “One last thing that I do want to say is, DHR is here for you for life. DHR Health is built by and for the community. We're proud to do this. We want to do more of this. Again, DHR is here for you for life.”
