Two of Northwest Indiana’s leading health organizations are co-sponsoring the Women and Men: “Celebrating Healthy Hearts” health fair on Saturday, March 11, 2017, 10:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m., at the Genesis Convention Center, One Genesis Plaza in Gary.
Rose Green Thomas, Ed.D/Ed.S, President and CEO of The Black Women Physicians (BWP) Institute and Janet Seabrook, MD/MBA, Executive Director of Community HealthNet, Inc., both 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, planned this event to interest both women and men in heart health.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States—one in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke. Dr. Seabrook stated that heart diseases kill more women than all cancer incidences combined. It is imperative that health education and prevention measures are shared widely among the local populations. A new initiative will be launched, the “Million Hearts Campaign” throughout the region to focus on cardiovascular diseases and hypertension.
The Honorary Hosts are Rev. and Mrs. Charles M. Morgan, Pastor, Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. The Honorary Co-Hosts are Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson, City of Gary; Rev. Homer Cobb, City of Hammond; and Senator Lonnie Randolph, City of East Chicago.
Guest speakers include one of Gary’s very own, Dr. Jessica Williams, Cardiologist (a Horace Mann H. S. graduate) who serves as the BWP National Role Model for Academic Medicine; Dr. Andre’ Artis, world-reknowned Cardiologist, Merrillville, Indiana; Dr. Patrick Bankston, Associate Dean, Indiana University School of Medicine, Northwest and others. Community Recognition Awards will be presented to Dr. Deborah McCullough, Obstetrics/Gynecology and Dr. Brenda Thompson, Pediatrics.
The “Color is Red” theme is featured throughout the event with health screening, vendor stations, literature handouts, scholarship and awards luncheon, and a program with celebrity men (promoting healthier lifestyles) walking the runway for a festive, memorable educational experience. The scholarship promotes the Dr. Rose M. Green Academic Medicine Scholarship Award geared toward 1st and 2nd year minority female students enrolled in accredited medical schools who pledge an academic medical career.
Dr. Thomas pointed out that many health, business, and civic organizations, as well as individuals will continue to offer support for this important event. The outreach effort throughout the Northwest Indiana Region is critical to the success of creating awareness and stressing healthier lifestyles across boundaries.
The admission is $35 per person and table sponsorship is available at various levels of giving. Interested persons may RSVP (219) 616-3912 or email: [email protected].
This is the 3rd Annual event is planned to attract the interest of both women and men in heart health awareness in the Northwest Region.