Riverton Hospital hosts community health fair

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by Gustavo Ramos

RIVERTON-  Sue Jack walked into the world’s first inflatable heart at the Riverton Hospital community health fair on Saturday. The Mega Heart exhibited a replica of the human heart and gave visitors a close-up view of a healthy and damaged heart during the community health fair at Riverton Hospital.

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The Mega Heart exhibited a replica of the human heart and gave visitors a close-up of a view of a healthy and damaged heart, during the community health fair at Riverton Hospital.
“It was fun to walk inside the heart and learn more about how it works,” said Jack after walking out of the Mega Heart, the main attraction of the fair.

 

 

The event promotes good health and community involvement, offers free screening, health information and behind-the-scenes surgery procedures to attendees.

“We are part of the community,” said Jenny Owens, public relations manager of the hospital. “We want to be seen as a community partner.”

Every year, the hospital opens its doors to the community. This year’s fair had more than 40 activities for the whole family including a Life Flight appearance, free vision test, hearing and other screenings, as well as an inside look at the operating room and it’s common procedures.

Shauri Kagie, a South Jordan resident, heard about the event and decided to bring her whole family.

“We came today to see the helicopter and get a hearing test,” said Kagie, after posing for a family picture in front of the helicopter.

While some people feel apprehensive about going to the hospital, the Riverton Hospital looks to change this perception through events like these which allow the community to come and enjoy an educational day filled with interactive activities.

“Most people come when they are sick, but our objective is to invite the community into the hospital when they’re not sick so that they feel more comfortable while they’re here for future visits,” Owens said.

For Consuelo Ogden, a BYU graduate of nursing and employee of the Riverton Hospital, this event was a great opportunity to promote health and inform the community about what goes in the operating room.

“Working in the OR is exciting because of the variety of cases seen ever day; it’s always different,” Ogden said.

Wendy Johnson and her family came to the health fair after attending a soccer game.

“We just finished with soccer and came to get our cholesterol tested,” Johnson. “We are so glad to have a hospital right here.”

The Riverton Hospital has hosted this community health fair since 2008. For more information regarding upcoming events visit intermountainhealthcare.org andFacebook for more information regarding upcoming events.

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