It was hot, hot, hot outside on Saturday, August 8th, but that did not interfere with the Family Health Fair hosted by One Brooklyn Health (OBH), in front of Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, at 585 Rockaway Parkway. Families were provided with a wealth of clinical information at dozens of booths that lined the street along the Brookdale Campus, stretching from Church Avenue to Linden Boulevard.
Families obtained information on behavioral health, maternal and pediatric services, health insurance, assisted living, senior day care, accessible transportation and a plethora of other services available at OBH. In addition to being educated on overall wellness, some took advantage of the complimentary health screenings such as for high blood pressure – the silent killer.
A number of fun activities, including exciting rides, slides, bounce house and a gaming truck, were provided for the children. Additionally, OBH hosted a book bag and school supply giveaway, which provided the recipients with a jumpstart on the steadfastly approaching new school year.
Free meals and other healthy snacks and beverages were doled out liberally, in addition to hampers of fresh produce that were distributed through OBH’s community pantry. The music which blared from the sound system of a live DJ was as hot as the temperature – nearly 96 degrees in the shade – and made the sweltering heat almost tolerable.
The office of State Senator Roxanne Persaud was among the electeds represented at the health fair. Other community partners included EmblemHealth, Healthfirst, My Time Inc. and AT&T.
“This is an important day for us. I hope that the people that are coming here today hit every tent,” Guy Courbois, OBH’S freshly minted chief operating officer (COO), stated.
Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse also addressed the gathering briefly. “I have no problem supporting Brookdale Hospital,” Narcisse, who is also a registered nurse as well as Chair of New York City Council’s Committee on Hospitals, stated. “I represent the 46th District, but this hospital is important to me,” the councilwoman added, as she thanked OBH’s leadership and staff for “serving a community in need.”
