MUSC Health Marion Medical Center Partnership offers a free health fair event in Marion County

MARION, SC – Beautiful Grace Park was the place to give on Saturday as people took home free boxes of food provided by the Harvest Hope Food Bank and free health care screenings at one of the largest health fair events in Marion County on Saturday.

MUSC Health Rural Health Network Medical Director Dr. Ganga Mathisuthan, along with MUSC Health Marion Medical Center, has partnered with Healthy Me – Healthy SC to provide resources in one setting.

The health fair features food trucks, vendors, and health education for adults and children.

Mattisutan has an office in Mullins and said the project all came together.

“This is something we need in Marion County,” he said. Many people without insurance need blood-sugar, blood pressure, and skin cancer screenings.

Matsuthan, who has experience in internal medicine and primary care, said there is a need to focus on heart disease.

“Obesity is one of the important things we need to focus on in Marion and Mullins,” he said. “Health has been a big help for me to come here and give the resources.”

Healthy Me Director – Healthy SC David Suduz said he was excited to be a part of the event.

“We want to go out and try to reach more rural and underserved communities and provide health care services,” he said.

Healthy Me – Healthy SC offers chronic disease education and nutrition counseling.

“We do this once a month,” Sudduth said. “We think the biggest benefit is creating an opportunity for community partners to come together for an event, not just to promote their services, but to get their services out into the community.”

The community health fair is an effort to make better health services accessible to the rural community, said the organizers.

Free screenings include cholesterol, covid-19, bone density, stroke throat and flu tests. Dental examinations were performed by the MUSC College of Dentistry.

Sponsors include Duke Energy, Marion County Government, Harvest 2 Home Community Market in PD, South Carolina Healthcare Partners, WJAY Radio, Fitness International Gyms and PD Community Action Partnership.