ILWACO – On Saturday, Sept. 29 from 8 a.m. to noon, the Ocean Beach Hospital and Medical Clinics will host their 2007 Health Fair in Ilwaco.

Growing to be a well-attended annual event, the Health Fair will have all the great things offered in years past, but will also feature some new additions for the public to enjoy.

Four presentations by OBH medical professionals will give listeners an insight into common health problems, as well as provide time for question and answer sessions. Each presentation will be held on the hospital’s second floor in conference room “B.”

At 8:15 a.m. Steve Bellinger, PA-C, will host a presentation titled “Diabetes Awareness: Are you at risk?” – which will teach you how to ask the right questions and how to get them answered.

At 9 a.m., Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Mary Friedman will discuss “Your Skin – The First View of You.”

At 10 a.m., General Surgeon Dr. David Friedman will present “Your Colon: The Inside Story.” Dr. Friedman will tackle the often-overlooked topic by taking the mystery out of the colonoscopy process.

At 11 a.m., Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Jessop McDonnell will host “Understanding Arthritis: Surgical and Non-surgical Treatments.”

In addition to the featured speakers, a wide variety of other health services, programs and information will be available to the public.

At the medical clinic, visitors can take advantage of free blood pressure checks, prostate screenings and diabetes and cholesterol screenings from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Those wishing to participate in the diabetes and cholesterol screenings must complete a 12-hour fast prior to testing. Tests and screenings are provided on a first come, first served basis.

More than 25 community health participant information tables will feature health, safety and age-related information for all ages.

Pacific County Fire District No. 1 will be giving away free bike safety helmets for both kids and adults.

The local Lions Club will provide hearing, sight and blood pressure checks.

Shirley Pryor, ARNP, will have information about women’s health services and payment assistance.

Other appearances include personnel from Senior Information and Assistance, Red Cross, LifeFlight, Pacific Coast Medical Supply, Ocean Beach Physical Therapy, a massage therapist from Timeless Amenities in Naselle, Medtronic with information about diabetes, a sleep center from Portland, Ore., representatives from Lincare in-home medical equipment, and a MRI mobile unit.

Guided tours through the newly remodeled nurses’ wing will also be available. A project that began in early July, the wing now has new and improved ceilings and a much more functional nurses’ station with more natural lighting. Bringing a more open atmosphere, the remodel also gave way to better security systems and an in-house pharmacy expansion.

“The Health Fair is a great opportunity to get information in an informal setting,” says Ocean Beach Hospital representative Denise Jones. “It’s a good opportunity to educate the public on topics that are often considered embarrassing but can be serious, silent killers. It’s all about the community and patient-based healthcare. We want to introduce everyone to the services we can provide so that they can seek out what they need from our medical professionals.”

Snacks, refreshments and free giveaways will also be available at the event.

Questions regarding the Health Fair can be directed to the event’s lead coordinator Jennifer Sadtler at 642-6301.

Ocean Beach Hospital and Medical Clinics provide community education, and emergency, outpatient and diagnostic services to residents and visitors specific to south Pacific County. To find out more, call the hospital at 642-3181 or visit their Web site at (www.oceanbeachhospital.net).