Baker College health fair for all ages: free screenings and helicopter close ups

The Baker College of Auburn Hills health sciences department has partnered with several community organizations to present the 2015 Health Education Fair on its campus, Saturday, May 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1500 University Drive, Auburn Hills. The free event is open to the public.

More than 200 students in Baker College’s health sciences programs, joined by health care professionals and others in health-related fields, will offer various screenings and demonstrations. Health-related community groups will provide information about services, there will be entertainment for kids and prize giveaways, and attendees will get a close-up look at Beaumont Hospital’s ambulance and emergency helicopter.

Partner presenting organizations are the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce, Beaumont Wellness Coalition, Common Ground and Clarkston Internal Medicine.

“The health education fair is a wonderful opportunity for the public to learn about various health issues and ways to create a healthier lifestyle,” said Nara Mirijanian, dean of health sciences at Baker College of Auburn Hills. “There is something for people of all ages—from kids to seniors.”

Fair activities include:

· Ultrasound screenings (cardiac, vascular and general)

· Health risk assessments—cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar screenings; height, weight and body mass index (BMI) measurements

· Blood typing

· Smoking cessation and asthma education

· Fitness, ergonomics and fall prevention awareness

· Bike safety demonstrations and sun safety information

· Ask a physician, pediatrician or pharmacist

· Dental checks, teeth cleanings and whitening trays

There will be special dental screening opportunities for individuals age 55 and over and free sealants for children. Free X-rays, extra-oral exams, intra-oral exams and oral cancer screenings will be available. Licensed dental faculty will supervise the dental care provided by students in the dental hygiene associate program.

“Our students love this event because they can utilize the skills they have acquired in their courses in ways that are fun and helpful to the community,” Mirijanian said.

The students will assist in activities related to their fields of study, which include dental hygiene, dental assisting, medical assistant, nursing, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy technician, physical therapy assistant, respiratory care, cardiac sonography, vascular ultrasound technology and diagnostic medical sonography.

Beaumont Hospital will provide many activities, including a distracted driving simulator, demonstrations of an EpiPen (epinephrine injection) auto-injector and information about its ambulance and emergency helicopter, which will both be at the fair. Its helicopter, Beaumont One, is an American Eurocopter EC-135 equipped with the latest in ventilator and patient monitoring technology.

Several other community organizations including the American Red Cross, the Michigan Bone Marrow Association, Common Ground and Havenwyck Hospital will offer information about their services. Area chiropractors will also offer demonstrations.

Entertainment at the fair will include a visit by Slo-Poke the Clown, an activity center for children, a bounce house, food, beverages and gifts for all attendees. Various prizes given throughout the fair will include Fitbits, massage certificates, gas cards, personal training sessions and ballroom dancing classes.

For more information about the Health Education Fair or health sciences programs at Baker College of Auburn Hills, contact Nicole Chirco in the admissions office at nicole.chirco@baker.edu or 248.340.0600, or visit www.baker.edu.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves more than 28,000 students on multiple campuses and online. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 150 programs across diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. An impressive 97 percent of available graduates are employed. Every Baker graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker is a pioneer in online education and offers students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.