ETSU Community Health Fair features free health screenings

The ETSU Health Johnson City Community Health Center's annual Community Health Fair returns Sept. 12, offering community members a chance to connect with health care providers, local resources and services in a festive setting. The free event will feature health screenings, flu shots, personal care items, community resources and activities for the whole family. Licensed hairdressers will also provide free haircuts throughout the event, according to a press release from ETSU Health. The health fair comes as ETSU Health's Community Health Centers have earned national recognition from the Health Resources and Services Administration for providing high-value care and using health information technology to improve quality. "Providing high-quality care means finding ways to make care accessible and build relationships that help our patients stay healthy," said Vanessa Smith, practice administrator at the JCCHC. "The Community Health Fair gives us a great opportunity to connect our community with the many resources our center offers." The event will be held at the center, located at 2151 Century Lane in Johnson City, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 12. It is free and open to the public and will feature a kids' zone for family fun, according to the release. The JCCHC provides evidence-based care for patients seeking primary care, prenatal care and other needs for various population groups in the community. It is one of the few nurse-managed community health centers in the nation to be designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center, a prestigious marker that means the facility meets a range of nationally accepted standards. An unwavering commitment to caring for the people of this region and beyond is one of the many reasons ETSU is the flagship institution of Appalachia, according to the release. "Preventive care is such an important part of helping people live healthier lives, and sometimes the first step is simply making it easier for people to connect with care and support," Smith said. "We welcome everyone, whether you come for a health screening, a flu shot, a haircut, to learn about a community resource or just to enjoy the activities with your family." Other resources available at the health fair include: Appalachian Resource Conservation and Development CouncilAppalachian Highlands Care NavigatorsArea Agencies on Aging and DisabilityBranch HouseBallad Health Trauma ServicesJohnson City Housing AuthorityFrontier HealthWashington County Health Departmentand more The Johnson City Community Health Center is part of the East Tennessee State University College of Nursing's network of nurse-managed health centers. For more information on the JCCHC, visit ETSUHealth.org.