Second Annual Sweetheart Health Screening

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – “One of the biggest barriers to having good health outcomes is lack of access to services; to overcome that, we have brought these screenings to the community.”

Danielle Moser, Senior Public Educator for the Orange County Department of Health, explained these proactive, well embraced actions Saturday during the Second Annual Orange County Department of Health’s Sweetheart Screening event. Held inside the Newburgh Unity Armory Center, the four hour health-focused venue, which included free screenings in breast cancer (to the first 25 people), prostate cancer (Specific Antigan- PSA- blood test), cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure, also featured raffles, refreshments, a DJ, photo booth as well as an assortment of complimentary goodies and prizes. For Moser, who supervises all of the chronic disease prevention programs at the Department of Health, the day’s mission ran deep, something she referred to as “near and dear to my heart.”

“Today is so very important because so many don’t have access to health care screenings and services; in fact, they don’t even know when and how often they need to be screened,” explained Moser, who could be seen energetically circulating throughout the event’s multiple offerings. “So today we are meeting the community where they are at by bringing free screenings to the community.”

The receptiveness to the Sweetheart Screening, aptly called for the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday, was apparent from the numbers it attracted. Not even halfway through, already 70 people had registered and explored the expansive offerings. Among those guests was Town of Goshen resident, Barbara Korycki, who was donning the symbolic red colors for February’s Heart Awareness Month, smiling big, very pleased she was able to take full advantage of the eclectic range of screenings and information.

“I found out about this event from the Orange County Senior Council Secretary, and I’ve been to health fairs before because I try to educate myself; this one is very nice with the free screenings to make sure everything is checked and alright,” said Korycki, who was able to get helpful, much appreciated blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings Saturday. “This event is fabulous because you get a lot of wonderful information; I stopped at every table and got literature on things like Alzheimer’s and Dementia and other topics; I would suggest people come to events like this for that important information, the free screenings that can save your life, educating yourself, and it’s also a great way to socialize and meet people.”

Those networking opportunities could be spotted all over the Armory, as a host of vendors, representing a wide breadth of health issues were on hand, chatting with guests, spreading integral details, while empowering all those they encountered to be proactive about one of life’s biggest priorities: health.

“We are educating the community today on screenings and how early detection saves lives, and urging them to come to us, should an issue surface,” said Jennifer Ward, Sales Manager, Hudson Valley Radiation in Manhattan. “The response has been really, really good, from both men and women.”

Some of the many agencies contributing to the day included; Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, SUNY Orange County Community College, Garnet Health, Mount Sinai, Orange County Medical Reserve Corp, Healthfirst, and Latinos Unidos of the Hudson Valley, who touched upon taking care of one’s health going beyond the physical, entailing the entire person’s needs being met.

“We are a referral agency that connects the community with other support and are also bilingual,” explained Karen McCarthy from Latinos Unidos. “We are trying to get the word out today on not just physical health, but mental health as well.”

And it all starts with access, something this special day and the people involved delivered, making an impactful difference in the numerous lives it touched.