Community Health Fair Features Free Flu Shots, Health Information

If you need free, basic health information, want a free flu shot, or want to take advantage of a variety of free health screenings, then make it a point to attend the Third Annual Community Health Fair on January 22, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., at the United Reformed Church, 100 West Main Street, Somerville, NJ.

Admission is free. In the event of snow, the Health Fair will be postponed to Sunday, January 29. If the event has to be postponed because of the weather, the church will have a message on its phone -- 908-125-4545.

This event is being sponsored by , 67 Route 206, Hillsborough, in partnership with the United Reformed Church to improve the quality of life in Somerset County. The free Health Fair will feature basic health screenings and will offer attendees the opportunity to talk to doctors and specialists about a broad array of health concerns, and obtain information about local health resources that are available to families and individuals in Somerset County. Spanish-speaking volunteers will be present to assist with translations, and many informational materials will be available in Spanish.

Some of the free services, screenings and tests that will be available are:

• Free flu shots
• HIV screening and counseling (Robert Wood Johnson Medical School HIV Counseling Department, New Brunswick, NJ.)
• Blood glucose testing and cholesterol screening (Somerset Medical Center)
• Blood pressure testing
• Vision and glaucoma screening
• Hearing testing
• Body Mass Index
• Foot evaluation
• Information regarding diabetes, fitness, and safety

Free information on Parkinson’s Disease, sleep disorders, and trauma and injury prevention, and women’s health will also be available.

 At press time, the following practitioners and organizations will be making their services available for the Health Fair:

• American Red Cross of Somerset County
• Somerset Medical Center
• The ARC of Somerset County
• Judy  Bounan: Registered dietician, Bridgewater
• Martin Storbeck, OD, Pearle Vision, Bridgewater: Vision and glaucoma screening
• Family Foot & Ankle Specialists, Hillsborough: Podiatrists will provide free foot screenings and educational tools on foot health, diabetic foot care, children’s feet, heel pain, shoe selection and more
• Gregory Hirsch, MD (OB/GYN), Hillsborough: Answer questions about female health issues, including breast cancer, and provide screening questionnaires
• Glen Landesman and Joseph Smith, MDs, Your Doctors Care, Hillsborough: Review health history forms and answer questions pertaining to family medicine and nutrition
• Deborah Neiman, MD, Step Ahead Weight Loss Center, Hillsborough and Bedminster: Conduct Body Mass Index (BMI) tests, answer questions and provide information about weight loss.
  • Planned Parenthood
  • Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, HIV Counseling Department, New Brunswick,
  • Leonard Siskin, DC: Provide chiropractic assessment and information about the benefits of chiropractic medicine and massage therapy
  • Kevin Skole, MD: Provide information and answer questions about colon cancer screening
  • Somerset Medical Center
  • Women’s Health and Counseling Center, Somerville

The Health Fair also will offer people interested in New Jersey FamilyCare (NJFC), a program that provides health insurance for low income NJ residents, assistance with their applications, thanks to English- and Spanish-speaking volunteers from Temple Beth-El and NJFC. NJFC’s participation at this point is yet to be confirmed.

 NJFC applicants should bring the following documents with them to the Health Fair: Identification (passport, birth certificate or driver’s license), proof of income (two pay stubs or, if self-employed, a copy of last year’s tax return). Non-U.S. citizens should bring a resident i.d., a green card, or papers granting asylum. Anyone who had had other health insurance should also bring a letter of termination from that provider. For more information about New Jersey FamilyCare, call 1-800-701-0710, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Monday and Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., or online at www.njfamilycare.org.

For more information, contact Shuey Horowitz at 908-722-6875.

Temple Beth-El is a Reform Jewish congregation. A member of the Union for Reform Judaism, the temple was founded in 1953 by 15 families. Today, the congregation numbers more than 450 households and offers a variety of cultural, educational, social and spiritual opportunities to its members and to the greater New Jersey Jewish community. For more information about temple life and programs, please visit online at www.bethel.urj.net or call 908-722-0674.

Submitted by Temple Beth El