One week from this Saturday, on October 21, our community will experience the first ever Archuleta Health Fair & Expo. What makes this event so unique is that it’s the brainchild and production of our own community… sponsorship, planning, and execution… all locally generated. That’s something to be celebrated.
Throughout the fair there will be vendors offering services and products for a healthier you. Local and regional vendors will be on hand to discuss their services or demonstrate their products. Not only will you be able to get low-cost blood work performed, you will be able to attend some very interesting informational sessions, cooking demonstrations, testing and tours all culminating with a farm-to-table lunch with keynote speaker Dr. Dave Shaeffer M.D. with Pagosa Medical Group.
Organizers have only one important requirement – the participating public must pre-register for labs and the Farm to Table lunch, both of which are at very low cost. It is imperative that they know the numbers to expect for these two events, at least for this first time. Preregistration is quick and easy and can be accomplished by following the prompts on our website. Please register as soon as possible as spots are expected to fill up quickly.
Healthy Archuleta got the ball rolling and partnered with the Archuleta County Public Health Department and Pagosa Chamber of Commerce and with support from the local healthcare organizations and Labcorp in hosting the Archuleta Health Fair and Expo.
Fortunately, there is still time for individuals, nonprofits, and businesses that have an investment in the health of our community to play a role in this inaugural community event. For more information on becoming a sponsor, helping with the event, or participating, please contact us at fsfearchuleta@gmail.com or call us at 401-206-4579.
This event aims to offer low-cost wellness labs and connect community members to primary preventative care… and much more. Let’s take a look at what’s going on during this very busy morning. Here’s the schedule:
Lab Draws for a complete blood panel : 7:00am-10:00am
Connect with Health Care Providers (Pagosa Springs Medical Center, Pagosa Medical Group, Axis Health): 7:00am-11:20am
Childcare (Limited Spots Available): 7:00am-1:00pm
Sunrise Yoga with Margaret : 7:00am-8:00am
Vendors & Exhibitors (Wellness and Farmers Market) : 7:30am-1:00pm
Food Demos with Local Chefs featuring local & regional ingredients : 7:30am-10:00am
Child and Youth Centered Activities : 8:00am-11:20am
High School Growing Dome Tours : 8:30am-10:00am
Concurrent Health, Wellness and Nutrition Sessions : 8:00am-11:20am
Farm to Table luncheon, Land Acknowledgment and Keynote Presentation : 11:30am-1:00pm
Between the four Food Demos, the Pagosa Farmers Market Vendors, and the Farm to Table lunch, all of which feature food available locally or regionally, participants should come away with new ideas about what is available, where it can be found, and what to do with it.
Throughout the morning, a variety of thought-provoking presentations on Health, Wellness, and Nutrition will be available to enlighten participants and allow for questions to be answered. Simultaneous translation will be available at the session for our Spanish language community members.
- Cultural and Traditional Practices of Food and Health – Isaac Julian, Sr
- Whole Body Wellness – Jackie Rea, P.T., Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Dr. Scott Anderon, D.C.
- Diet, Physical Activity, Sleep, and Primary Healthcare: Pathway to Health – Julie Buckner, M.D.
- Cooking to Promote Health and Wellness – Ana Smith and Carolynn Ritermann, RDN
- Partnering with Primary Care Providers: What can I expect from annual visits, labs, and services – Amber Reiss-Holt, M.D.
- Navigating the Finances of Health Care – Angelene Talamantes with Hometown Insurance; Caryn Hill with San Juan Basin Area on Aging; Doug McCarthy, Healthcare Advocate, Local First Foundation in Partnership with Peak Health Alliance
- Supporting the Mental Health of our Youth – Stacey Foss, Authentic Solutions
- The Big C: Cancer and What Do I Need to Know About It – David Shaeffer, M.D., MPH; Keynote Speaker
Wellness vendors, growers, and producers with products and/or information relative to the health and welfare of participants will be available throughout the morning. Stop by, learn who they are, and what they have to offer.<
For more information on the Archuleta Health Fair and Expo please visit the Healthy Archuleta website, https://www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org/archuleta-health-fair-and-expo.html
This Archuleta Health Fair and Expo is a community project made possible by the work of Healthy Archuleta, the new Archuleta County Public Health Department and the Pagosa Chamber.
The Pagosa Chamber encourages businesses to get their employees engaged with the lab work, the educational sessions or any part of the expo. The healthier your employees are, the healthier your business can be. We want our community to be preventative and proactive, not just reactionary, to health issues. Engage your staff members and encourage them to take advantage of these low- and no-cost programs at the Archuleta Health Fair and Expo.