Fair to support health, wellness

Free food and foot massages are available at the annual Point Park University Health Fair, but that does not mean it is not educational.

The Health Fair, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9 in the Lawrence Hall ballroom, features a lineup of professionals from all aspects of healthcare.

The trio behind this event are Jeanne Beveridge, the student health center's coordinator; Patricia Schwartz, MEd, LPC, from Point Park's Student Counseling services; and Ruth Rauluk, vice president of business services.

Beveridge has put on a fair every year for nearly a decade to raise health awareness. Her objective is to "promote healthy lifestyles, support students' efforts to be healthier" and "give them good information," Schwartz said.

The idea is to host community professionals from whom students can benefit. Although some people are invited back year after year, Beveridge tries to achieve variety and keep the fair fresh by finding new vendors.

The lineup for this year is diverse, with a variety of interactive events, which even include nail painting. Rauluk, who is a member of the Community Outreach Committee of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Pittsburgh Chapter, said the committee will be bringing two manicurists from the Harmony Salon in Wexford.

The activity is called "Teal Finger-TIPS for Ovarian Cancer," and manicurists will paint fingernails teal, the official color of ovarian cancer.

"We're looking for ways to educate, especially younger women, on ovarian cancer," Rauluk said. She hopes to raise awareness to increase prevention.

Once their nails dry, students can get a foot massage from a certified massage therapist.

Many of the invited health care specialists will provide contests and giveaways, but the Health Fair is not all fun and games. The fair will provide a smorgasbord of professional advice and information catered to college students.

Dental advice is on the menu, too. Arranging for a dentist to set up shop at the fair has particularly excited Beveridge. She said she has been trying to get a dentist to come to the Health Fair, and this is the first year she has succeeded.

The dentist is N. Michael Fazzini Jr., DDS, FAGD from the Downtown Center for Oral Health & Esthetics on Fifth Avenue. Fazzini will be taking time to answer any dental questions students have. According to Schwartz, Fazzini is also willing to work out payment arrangements for students who have dental needs.

Another first for this year is a pharmacist from CVS, who will answer any pharmaceutical questions. Students may also consult with a physical therapist from UPMC Center for Rehab and UPMC trainers specializing in sports medicine. Representatives from the Persad Center will also be doing HIV tests and distributing condoms. Beveridge said that HIV testing is also done every month at her office on the second floor of Academic Hall.

As part of the overall picture of health, there will also be tables for mental well-being. Contact Pittsburgh, Inc., will also be in attendance, bearing information for students suffering from depression. The Student Centers for Health and Counseling as well as a table on alcohol awareness will offer games and giveaways.

Also participating are members of the International Club, who will be accepting donations and making a quilt for the homeless in Haiti. Students are invited to cut out their own squares for the quilt. The Honors Program will also have a table where students can order daffodils to support the American Cancer Society.

"It's a good way to have students come in and just learn new things," Beveridge said.

This year, there are more students getting involved, and she hopes the students will bring their friends so that the Health Fair will have its largest turnout yet.

"I think we've got a lot of student participation, and that's the key," Beveridge said.