Monongalia General Hospital - Mon General HealthFair

What is it?

For more than a quarter century, Mon General Hospital has sponsored a HealthFair at the Morgantown Mall on the last weekend in February. A variety of low-cost and free health screenings are offered. The most popular screening is the Multiphasic Blood Analysis, which draws more than 2,000 people and can show evidence of diabetes, cancer, gout, liver disease, high cholesterol, kidney disease, and anemia. Male participants in the Multiphasic can also request a Prostate Specific Antigen test to screen for prostate cancer. Physicians and hospital staff conduct screenings for skin cancer, diabetes, and bone density. They perform electrocardiograms and pulmonary function tests as well as ultrasounds of the gallbladder, aorta and carotid, and much more.

Who is it for?

Residents of Morgantown and the surrounding area attend the annual event. One former Morgantown couple plans an annual trip from Arizona back to Morgantown to participate in the HealthFair.

Why do they do it?

For many uninsured or underinsured individuals in the community, HealthFair has become their annual physical examination. Every year, as the result of the screenings, individuals are diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysms, prostate cancer, blocked carotid arteries, heart arrhythmias, and other disorders. Often visitors find that they have a problem early enough to utilize the information received at the HealthFair to make lifestyle modifications before the problem becomes serious. If a serious ailment is detected, HealthFair workers encourage the visitor to seek further medical attention and, when necessary, refer and help them find the assistance and resources they need. HealthFair helps Mon General fulfill its mission to deliver the best health care to the region it serves.

Impact

On average, 50,000 community residents attend the HealthFair. Many Mon General Hospital departments, physicians, and affiliates have exhibits at the event. Typically, 60 to 70 exhibitors provide health information and activities for participants of all ages. Also, two years ago, the hospital added an on-site HealthFair in spring just for women. Holding it at the hospital offers the privacy to include additional testing such as Pap tests, breast exams, and mammograms, which couldn’t be carried out in the mall setting.

Contact: Pam Viands Houck
Director, Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Telephone: 304-598-2418
E-mail: ViandsP@monhealthsys.org