Palm Coast, FL – Years ago residents in need of specialists may have had to drive as far as Orlando or Jacksonville to get high quality healthcare, but in today’s rapidly evolving medical environment, what you need is as close as a phone call away in Flagler County.
Helping connect residents to providers is important to Flagler Broadcasting’s sales director Kirk Keller after a stop at a health fair years ago alerted him to a potential medical crisis due to high blood pressure.
Helping to grow the WNZF Health Fair, now in its 11th year, healthcare providers and supporting industries ranging from orthopedics to clean air were on site at the Hilton Garden Inn, Palm Coast on Thursday to talk with residents about their needs.
Part of the emerging alternative medicine industry, Florida-based VidaCann dispensary managers Bill Bruce and Sean Yereance shared information on CBD and the benefits of seeking pain management outside of opioids.
“Medical cannabis has come a long way over the years so now we’re able to with the legalization of marijuana medically here in the state of Florida, bring our premium cannabis products to those patients who want a better quality of life and relief,” said Yereance.
Representing the Flagler Health+ orthopedic group in Palm Coast, physician’s liaison Jennifer Webster said health fairs help educate patients about their local options.
“There’s an office right here in Town Center,” shared Webster. “It’s very important – we have flyers that tell all about each doctor and their services. We just want to make sure that everybody knows that they are here and available.”
Feeling good doesn’t only come from the physical mechanics of the body’s function, and beauty expert Viviana Gaimaro, owner of Viviana’s Hair Studio talked with attendees about the correlation between personal care and mental well-being, especially after an illness or treatment.
“It’s very important because you’re already feeling down. I think anytime you look good, you feel good, and that’s what we’re there for, to make you feel pretty,” said Gaimaro, whose services include hair loss light therapy treatments and organic products.
Organizing the health fair is no small feat, and Keller said that presenting the options that run the gamut of services helps make it a one stop shop for people who have questions or are looking to improve their health and wellness.
“We just feel it’s very important people know about their health,” said Keller. “A lot of people don’t have pains when they have an illness, and these screenings are very important.”
General manager Ryan Crabb said the Hilton Garden Inn was pleased to host the event as one of Flagler County’s premier event spaces, and announced they would have the honor of hosting a wedding expo this June as part of their event schedule.
“June 5th we’re going to have a wedding expo which hasn’t been done in the area for quite some time,” said Crabb, which will include everything needed to create the perfect wedding day.
“Ironically enough, a lot of the weddings we had booked last year that had to cancel have already rebooked for this year, which is great news. I think more than anything, it’s going to show people we’re open for business, which is kind of how the state of Florida has been anyway compared to other states. It’s telling people we can have your ceremony here, your reception here, we can block off guest rooms for out of town guests.”
