Back-to-School Healthfest Hosted for Tri-Cities Children
Health Fair Offers Free Checkups and Screenings for TennCare Members
Children in the Tri-Cities area can get a healthy jumpstart on the 2008 school year by attending a free Back-to-School Healthfest on Saturday, July 26. The event will be held at the Sullivan County Health Department in Kingsport from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sponsored by Volunteer State Health Plan (VSHP), the Sullivan County Health Department (SCHD), and Tennessee Coordinated School Health, the health fair will offer free well-care checkups for TennCare children entering preschool through eighth grade.
In addition to well-care checkups, free dental exams will be provided by Doral Dental in conjunction with the SCHD pediatric dentist. The Sullivan County Sherriff’s Department will provide free fingerprinting, and members of the Lion’s Club will be on site to administer free vision checkups.
“Getting a checkup before school starts each year is just as important as purchasing new pencils and paper,” said Sheila Keith, manager of EPSDT, clinical improvement and outreach for VSHP. “The Back-to-School Healthfest is a great opportunity to provide and enforce the importance of checkups.”
The event will also feature giveaways, such as backpacks containing school supplies. All children completing a well-care exam will be registered to win a Nintendo Wii™ game system. Other HealthFest activities will include free food and drinks, music, inflatable rides and free haircuts provided by the Kingsport Academy of Hair Design.
Due to time limitations, only 75 well-care checkups will be available to Healthfest attendees. To schedule an appointment, call (423) 279-2777 or (423) 224-1600.
