UPDATE: Due to the weather, this event has been cancelled
By LISA CAPOBIANCO
STAFF WRITER
From blood pressure screenings to yoga and message demonstrations to health insurance information, the West End Association’s health and wellness expo will help the community get a healthy start to the new year in a variety of ways.
Sponsored by the Bristol Boys and Girls Club, the health and wellness expo will take place this Saturday starting at 10 a.m., and will bring together physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, massage therapists, nutritionists, and representatives from different healthcare organizations, including Bristol Hospital, ConnectiCare, Oak Hill, Chapter 126, and Access HealthCT. The free event serves as the association’s first annual health and wellness expo, which will take place at the new Bristol Boys & Girls Club on West Street.
Dave Hamelin, president of the West End Association, said he feels excited about bringing the expo to the new Bristol Boys and Girls Club, which will provide the event a large amount of space for all of its vendors. Calling the new center a great location, Hamelin said the expo will help promote the new facility in the West End while educating the public.
He added that the idea for the event began after a discussion with Wheeler Clinic and ConnectiCare about how to best relay information about health insurance to residents living in the West End, especially those who may not have access to various resources. From there, the idea grew to providing an event that could give local residents a one-stop shop of free health information and screenings all in one area.
“The insurance companies want to reach out into that area,” said Hamelin.
During the event, members of the public will have an opportunity to speak with local health professionals, such as emergency room staff from Bristol Hospital, pulmonologists, a podiatrist, Wheeler Clinic staff and a Spanish-speaking pharmacist from Beacon Pharmacy, who will be available to answer questions and to distribute educational materials. The expo also will offer a variety of free screenings, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, dental, vision and body mass index.
Health insurance experts from ConnectiCare and Access HealthCT will be available to answer questions about benefits and to discuss health insurance options and enrollment issues.
Hamelin said the event will further meet the mission of the association, which also envisions that “people in the neighborhood will demonstrate their pride by taking responsibility for the ongoing care of their homes and businesses, the parks and river, and one another.”
“We try to keep our residents healthy,” said Hamelin. “This is part of the whole idea of just helping the residents.”
With a background in healthcare, Judi Ann Lausier, a member of the West End Association who has helped Hamelin organize the event, said the expo serves as a great opportunity for residents to know the importance of being educated on health.
Through the free event, she hopes the community will see how the association is trying to make a difference and helping individuals thrive, adding that the expo serves as one of many ways to help rebuild the West End.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to give [residents] some good tips,” said Lausier, adding she hopes the event will bring more vendors in years to come. “I have a passion for the health industry.”
Hamelin added the event will offer something for people of all ages, including children, who will have an opportunity to meet Rocky from the New Britain Rock Cats and Sonar from the Hartford Wolf Pack. In addition, the city’s new Inter-Collegiate League baseball team, the Bristol Blues, will sign autographs and interact with children of all ages during the expo.
The health and wellness expo will take place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the new Bristol Boys & Girls Club on West Street.