Students with the Meigs Nursing Program were on hand to check blood pressure, temperature and other screenings. Here, Stacie Scarberry, Technology Instructor at Meigs Primary School, has her blood pressure checked by the nursing students.

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ROCKSPRINGS — The first Spring into Health Wellness Fair was held recently for employees of Meigs Local School District.

There were approximately 45 employees who participated in the health fair, and many brought along their families to participate as well.

The wellness fair was planned by the Meigs Wellness Committee and was aimed at engaging employees and their families in healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices.

The wellness fair also provided education on health services and health issues present in and around Meigs County. O’Bleness Hospital, Holzer and the Meigs Nursing Class provided free health screenings for employees and their families. Health screenings included (glucose, cholesterol, pulmonary function, bone density, body fat, pulse ox, A1C diabetes test, blood pressure, height and weight).

There were also local businesses and health care agencies (Pleasant Valley Hospital, Meigs County Cancer Initiative Think Pink, Meigs Rehabilitation Clinic, Dr. Roush, Athens Medical Associates, Dr. Hunter, Southern Ohio Cooperheads Baseball Team, Swisher and Lohse, Zumba with Paulette Harrison and Jeannie Owen, Ohio Valley Home Health and Heather Edwards Massage Therapy) present who set up booths to provide information regarding health and wellness issues and materials.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the Wellness Fair hosted by Meigs Local School District,” said Stacie Scarberry who participated in the event. “It was extremely beneficial, informative and I had a wonderful time. It was evident that a lot of hard work went into the preparation and implementation of this fair. I hope that the Wellness Fair becomes an annual tradition for the Meigs Local staff and their families.”

Many of the agencies and local businesses donated prizes and gift baskets to be raffled off during the event. After the screenings, employees were provided with a computer to complete an online health assessment where they could discover their health “scores” and what they could do to make behavioral changes to enhance their well-being.

The Meigs Wellness Committee’s purpose in planning the event was to offer the opportunity to all employees to celebrate health through the use of interactive displays, screenings, prizes, and other exhibits.

“The committee was very pleased with the event,” according to Jillian Brannon one of the event organizers, “and are hopeful that next year’s wellness fair will have the same success and even more participation. We look forward to continuing to provide opportunities for employees and students to gain awareness about pressing health issues and what they can do to develop a lifetime of healthy lifestyle behaviors.”