OHI to Host Series of Health Fairs for NHCW19

Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI), a federally qualified health center, with offices in Brick, Freehold, Lakewood, Little Egg Harbor, Manahawkin, Manchester and Toms River is hosting a series of community Health Fairs in recognition of National Health Center Week 2019. The events are part of a national campaign to increase awareness of the ways in which health centers are providing affordable health care in communities. A host of NHCW events that celebrate the ways that health centers are “Rooted in Communities” are scheduled across the country, including health and wellness fairs, visits by Members of Congress and state officials to local health centers, press conferences, back-to-school drives, community breakfasts, patient appreciation events, free health screenings and much more. The Community Health Fairs are open to the public, they will take place rain or shine on the following days:

Tuesday, August 6th - Health and Wellness Fair
OHI Freehold 20 Jackson St. Freehold
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Free haircuts, voter registration, face painting, balloon artist, free health screenings and many more family activities.

Wednesday, August 7th – Community Baby Shower and Health Fair
OHI Toms River 10 Stockton Dr. Toms River
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Face painting, balloon artist, free health screenings, diaper drive, giveaways and many more.

Saturday, August 10 – Back to School Health and Wellness Fair
OHI Little Egg Harbor 798 Rt 539, Little Egg Harbor
10 a.m – 3 p.m
Face painting, balloon artist, free health screenings, and school supplies giveaways.

To go along with the theme of this year, the Community Health Fair will offer free screenings, health education and information, music, giveaways, and fun and games for the entire family. Amerigroup, Horizon NJ Health, Aetna Better Health, United Healthcare, WellCare, Edible Arrangements, First Financial Credit Union and other community partners like JBJ Soul Kitchen, NJ ReEntry, NJCEED, League of Women Voters and Central Jersey Family Health Consortium, Inc are providing health education and giveaways.

This year’s NHCW 2019 will highlight health centers at the forefront of a nationwide shift in addressing environmental and social factors as an integral part of primary care, reaching beyond the walls of conventional medicine to address the factors that may cause sickness, such as lack of nutrition, mental illness, homelessness and substance use disorders.

Dr. Theresa Berger, President and CEO, said, “Every day in our waiting rooms we witness the value of having a patient-centered health care home. When people have a place to go for regular care, they use it and stay healthier. We provide a range of services onsite – primary care services, pediatrics, pharmacy, dentistry, even mental health services. Our patients not only get the care they need under one roof, but they are treated as individuals, with dignity and respect. This is what health care should be, and what we celebrate.”

Applications are available for vendors who would like to participate in the Community Health Fair. OHI will provide a 10 x 10 space, room for a six-foot table. Vendors are responsible for their own tent, table, and chairs. Electricity is available upon request.

For information about OHI, call 732-363-6655 to schedule an appointment or for more information about OHI’s services visit www.ohinj.org/NHCW

For questions about the Community Health Fairs, contact Nadia Hercules at 848-226-2857 or nhercules@ohinj.org