(Keely Ernst/Courier)
Pasadena City College hosted its annual health fair for staff members on Wednesday morning in the Creveling Lounge.
Attendants had the opportunity to receive free health screenings provided by the nursing students of PCC, an abundance of information regarding health insurance by the seventeen different vendors present, and free goodies such as pens, highlighters, and tote bags.
Julianna Mosier, the supervisor for PCC’s Human Resources, was in charge of putting together the event. She worked with Keenan & Associates, California’s largest insurance broker, to bring together big-name organizations such as Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross, The United States Social Security Administration, and Pasadena Service Federal Credit Union.
Whether attendants were looking to upgrade their insurance or get general information before committing to one, with the diverse options, there was something for everyone. The personable experience was also a benefit for the organizations.
“We want to be a partner,” said Jeremy Mo, Huntington Hospital’s employer relations specialist. “We want to show the community that we have other services that they can take advantage of, especially for the staff here at PCC.”
Vendors said the fair was an opportunity for staff to learn about their health care options one-on-one.
“It’s important to have this opportunity for members to talk to a real person. They’re not calling number services,” said Rebecca Martinez from Anthem Blue Cross. “We care about people. Within five minutes, we can answer almost all the questions [participants] may have.”
PCC made its own contribution by having volunteer nursing students check attendants’ blood pressure, heart rate, glucose levels, and give flu shots.
“It’s an opportunity that was given to us by the school,” said second-year nursing student Megan Arvizu. “It’s part of our lab work, but it’s also good experience.”
For the past 20 years, the health fair was geared towards PCC staff members, but Mosier is hoping to include students for next year’s event.
“We would like to make it a little more robust,” she said. “We want options that will be beneficial to students as well, such as the Affordable Care Act. Someone would come out and explain to students how it works and how to navigate the site.”
According to Mosier, more than 150 faculty and staff members attended this year’s health fair.
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