QUANTICO, Va. - The Barber Physical Activity Center has always offered a large variety of recreational opportunities. It’s no wonder that the facility hosted the health promotion sponsored ‘‘Semper Fit Health Fair’’ on Friday. There were plenty of organizations and programs that presented loads of health benefits and information to the public.
“Here at the Semper Fit Health Fair we are promoting and maintaining good,” Patricia Padgett, nurse health educator at Barber Physical Activity Center.
The Dental Department, in their colorful booth, was promoting oral hygiene.
“Educating people on proper oral hygiene whether brushing, flossing or anything dealing with teeth is our jobs,” said Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jennifer Wilds, hospital corpsman in the dental department of the Naval Health Clinic. We are also giving away goodies that include tooth brushes, different types of floss and coloring books for the children and guide booklets explaining why taking care of your teeth are important.”
After finishing up from the dental department’s section, people saw a booth dedicated to TRICARE.
According to their website, TRICARE brings together the health care resources of the uniformed services and joins them with civilian health care professionals, institutions, pharmacies to provide access to high-quality health care services while maintaining the capability to support military operations.
“I’m here to help people understand how Tricare works,” said Lois Maiden-Mccray, Tricare manager at the Navel Health Clinic, “We also want them to understand the process of going through Tricare.”
Sometimes people get misconceptions about Tricare, and Mccray was there to answer their questions. “Some people believe that, if something is going wrong with their information in the DEERS [Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System] office, it’s tied to their Tricare when really those are two different processes.”
When it comes to going to the doctor, Mccray believes a lot of service members are skeptical for whatever reason. Some even believe that they are immune to getting ill “We are trying to get people to understand that, even though new drugs to help your immune system come out frequently, they are still at risk,” said Rodney Fils Julien, preventive medicine technician at the Navel Health Clinic.
At preventive medicine they are showing people that services members are all human and none of them have an ‘‘S’’ on their chest. Anyone is susceptible to getting different type of diseases.
“We are trying to inform people to get check-ups. When they get symptoms of a cold, or a rash, and they just feel abnormal in some way physically to not wait just come on down,” said Julien.
Next up in the fair, as people made their way around the corner of the main hallway in the lobby they would not be able to miss the flashing lights in the Consolidated Substance Abuse Counseling Center.
“I’m talking to people about drug and alcohol awareness,” said Pamela Moment, drug demand reduction coordinator for CSACC.
“I’m showing people the new methods of getting that ‘high’ feeling and showing them that even though it’s not the normal traditional methods of using drugs or alcohol you can still get in trouble and, possibly, kicked out to their military branch.”
One of the last things people saw was the Family Advocacy Program exhibit.
“The Family Advocacy Program is here to strengthen families,” said Shananon Harley, children youth and teen nurse for the Family Advocacy Program. “We are offering new parent education on discipline, potty training, sibling rivalry, breast feeding, as well as working as a couple. This program is helping couples in the form of counseling to mini boot camps that help families understand the point of view of their spouse or kids children.”
There were other organizations represented, including All Travel Points, Child Development Center, and even a therapeutic massage station.
After people made their way through all of the exhibits in the expo, they had their choice a healthy turkey or ham sandwich, provided by Subway.
For information on future programs or special events with Semper Fit Health Promotions, just call The Barber Physical Activity Center at 703-784-3780.