Photo courtesy of Bridgeport Exempt Village School District will hold a health fair on Wednesday. The health fair was scheduled for the first week of April but was postponed due to flooding. Sponsored by the Belmont County NAACP, Wheeling Health Light and the Belmont County Health Department, free testing and information will be available to the public.
BRIDGEPORT — Free testing and resources for people with health issues will be available when the Bridgeport Exempt Village School District hosts a health fair Wednesday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Masu.
The health fair was originally scheduled for the first week of April, but heavy rain and flooding forced the date to be changed.
Belmont County NAACP member Jerry Moore Sr. organized the event with community partners including Wheeling Health Right and the Belmont County Health Department. Moore said a wealth of services will be provided.
“More than 30 vendors are expected to participate.” He added that the health fair is free and open to everyone.
Moore said this follows a health fair held in Bellaire last September.
“We will do our best to make it an annual event.” He noted that last year's health fair was well attended and said he expected more than 100 people to come.
“Everyone is welcome to participate, local or non-local. It's a community event.”
Moore, who served on the Bridgeport Exempted Village School District School Board for 34 years, said Superintendent Brent Ripley is very welcoming of the prospect.
“We are pleased to work with Bridgeport schools on this matter.” He said. “(Ripley) didn't hesitate. He said anything for the community.”
Ripley said the district would be happy to provide the space.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to host this event for the NAACP. The work that the NAACP does for everyone in Belmont County is truly appreciated and we are grateful for the opportunity to host this event for our students, school district, and community. I look forward to continued opportunities for the community.” he said in an email.
Moore said the goal is to provide the most useful information.
“Maybe some people have had their benefits cut off last year, this year and some. There have been changes to Medicaid and Medicare. But mostly, I just want people to know what's going on in this area. I want people to know that, because there is more to medicine than that.” Moore said. “There are other services out there. There's going to be physical therapists there. There's going to be insurance options. Everything we can think of is health-friendly.
“This is what needs to be done. When you talk to a lot of people about health care, a lot of people don't know there are a lot of options out there.” He said. “Having a health fair is a way to let everyone in the communities of Belmont County and surrounding areas know that these services are available to them.”
Moore added that Wheeling Health Right serves people on both sides of the Ohio River. These include a complete dental facility at his 61 29th St. in Wheeling.
“Thirty years later, some people still don't know about Wheeling Health Right or the full range of services available there.” He said. “We provide everyone with an equal opportunity to take control of their health and wellness.”
Vendors include Belmont County Veterans Services Office, Arc of Ohio, CareSource Insurance, Diamond Pharmacy, Head Start, Easter Seals, Ohio Lifeline, Seeing Hands Association, which provides glaucoma testing, Tri-County Help Center, and Trinity Health Systems. , Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center, Valley Hospice, and Village Network.
“We have tried to cover the full spectrum of health and wellness, from mental health to physical health.” Moore said. “If you want to ask questions of the NAACP, we have a membership list for you.”
Meals will be provided by Sha Nay Nay's Pizza in Bridgeport and Generations Restaurant in Wheeling.
Vicky Filtz, care coordinator for OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence), will also provide information. OhioRISE is an Ohio Medicaid-focused managed care program serving children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs. The program is operated through the Jefferson County Educational Services Center, which serves Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Stark, and Tuscarawas counties.
The school district complex is located at 55781 Route 55781.
For more information, call Moore at 740-827-5520 or email jerrymoore9545@gmail.com.
