Harlingen — Harlingen Medical Center (HMC) is known for its high-quality and compassionate healthcare. And, this Friday, May 13, 2016, the nationally recognized and award-winning hospital will offer free medical screenings, health and wellness education, a Doc Talk Lecture, and minimal cost non-invasive mammogram and vascular screenings, all open to the community – as part of its Harlingen Medical Center Annual Ladies Day Out Health Fair!
The Health Fair will be hosted at the hospital’s Main Lobby, located at 5501 S. Expressway 77 in Harlingen, between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
“Harlingen Medical Center is very much aware of the health care needs of the people we serve in our community,” said Manny Chacon, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Harlingen Medical Center. “We make every effort to meet those health care needs and this health fair is one way we do that. We host this event not only to offer complimentary medical screenings, but also to educate the women of our community. This health fair will include women’s health related topics such as the importance of having an annual mammogram. This May, in conjunction with Mother’s Day, we are offering our Digital Mammogram Screening for a special rate of $99.”
The Harlingen Medical Center Annual Ladies Day Our Health Fair will feature complimentary blood pressure, blood sugar, vision screenings, and much more. Those interested in having their blood sugar checked should be fasting at least eight hours before having the screening performed.
“These complimentary medical screenings are an excellent opportunity for members of our community to come in, have the screenings performed, and gauge where their numbers stand regarding their health,” Chacon added. “Most of these screenings take only a few minutes to complete. People will receive their results right away. They can then take these results back to their primary care physician and decide what to do next, if, they require further medical attention.”
The Health Fair will include a special Doc Talk Lecture presentation by Dr. Susan Redmond, Obstetrician / Gynecologist and Partner-In-Care to Harlingen Medical Center, who will speak on the topic of “Repeat Miscarriages: What You Need to Know”, at 10:30 a.m. in the Harlingen Medical Center Administration Classroom (located just to the right of the main lobby, also on the first floor of the hospital,). Dr. Redmond will discuss steps woman can take to prevent miscarriages, including starting prenatal vitamins and a folic acid supplement before they become pregnant.
The Health Fair will also feature masseuse(s), who will offer complimentary massage therapy sessions, and education on its benefits to the body and mind. Staff from the local Dillard’s Women’s Department will be on hand to offer complimentary cosmetic demonstrations.
To coincide with Mother’s Day, this May, the Health Fair will also feature important information about mammogram screening, which is available at Harlingen Medical Center’s Radiology and Imaging Department for only $99, this month.
“The mammogram is one of the simplest ways to detect and battle breast cancer,” said Roy Castillo, Director of Radiology and Imaging Services at Harlingen Medical Center. “This is why we stress the importance of the annual screening. The health fair and special rate mammogram screening gives us the opportunity to shed light on the illness and provide women with additional information about their state of health.”
The non-invasive Vascular Screening, available at Harlingen Medical Center during the month of May, is used to take an image of the 1) Carotid Artery, 2) Abdominal Aorta, and 3) Peripheral Arterial. The carotid artery is screened for buildup of fatty plaque, which can lead to a stroke if left untreated. The abdominal aorta is screened for the presence of an aneurysm, which can lead to a ruptured aortic artery and cause instantaneous death. The peripheral arterial are screened for plaque buildup in the lower extremities, which if present can lead to Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), also known as atherosclerosis, and even cause heart disease.
All three screenings are performed for the nominal fee of $139.00. Most insurance companies usually do not cover the cost of this screening unless the person has already suffered symptoms of heart disease. The screenings are completed all at once, in the same room (Radiology and Imaging Services at Harlingen Medical Center), and take about 45-minutes to complete.
If you wish to register for the “Stroke Prevention: Vascular Screening,” please call the Scheduling Department at (956) 365-1839 to schedule your appointment.
The HMC Annual Ladies Day Out Health Fair will feature door prizes for attendees, refreshments, and tours of the hospital’s Women’s Center. The annual event is free and open to the public.
To learn more about the Harlingen Medical Center Annual Ladies Day Out Health Fair, or to RSVP for the HMC Doc Talk Lecture with Dr. Susan Redmond, please contact the Business Development and Marketing Department at (956) 365-1848.
