The Community Times Dispatch

Colleton Medical Center’s Women’s Health Day 2009 attracts 200+ The 11th Annual Women’s Health Day, presented by Colleton Medical Center, kicked off in a cloud of pink on Monday evening at the Walterboro National Guard Armory on Cottageville Highway under the theme “Color Yourself Healthy.”

Event organizer and Chief Nursing Officer at Colleton Medical Center, Ann Jonason (PhD, RN) welcomed participants to the forum highlighting quality and preventative health care. She attributed the success and continuance of Women’s Health Day to community involvement. The efforts of volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, and participants were pivotal to the successful outcome of the event. Ms. Jonason stated, “The event was incredibly well-attended with over 200 participants and presenters.”

Anita Green, Daralynn Garrett , and retirees Eliza B. Williams and Mary J. Jones greeted registrants as they arrived at the armory. Upon registration, participants received a pink shopping bag containing a pink scarf both declaring “Life is a gift. Live it well,” courtesy of Colleton Medical Center. In the main room of the normally no-nonsense military facility, tables covered in pink adorned with potted mums appealed to the feminine eye. Women moved around the room, viewing the displays, munching on pink candy-chipped chocolate cookies, picking up pamphlets of information and other goodies about topics of interest to them.

The displays and screenings represented a wide array of subjects including mammograms, balance, influenza prevention, blood pressure, and spinal nerve function. Presentations were, not only designed to provide accurate information, but also to spark an interest about a topic so that participants could seek additional information in an effort to live healthier lives. Exhibitors included H2U, Webster University, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Lowcountry AHEC, and Lowcountry Imaging Associates along with several others.

Women’s Health Day 2009 also featured a health care panel consisting of Dr. Kim Rakes-Stevens, Ms. Christy Martin, and Ms. Catherine Grych. The range of questions was as varied as those present. After some encouragement by Ms. Jonason, one participant after the other raised her hand and asked questions such as “What is a hospitalist?” “What are the best measures for flu prevention?” “How do I deal with high cholesterol?” “…a persistent cough, a bleeding ulcer, hot flashes, varicose veins?” The responses of the panel of experts were “informative, clear, concise, and given in such a language that everyone could understand and appreciate.” Ms. Jonason beamed, “The feedback during the course of the panel discussion, dinner, and comments afterward were overwhelmingly positive.”

A sense of anticipation pervaded the room as mothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, cousins, and friends chatted with each other and viewed the presentations. For some attendees, this year marked their first visit. Ms. Louise Ford, a third-timer, wants to “keep abreast of the changes in health care” so that she can pass it on to her daughter and granddaughter. Mrs. Barbara Tillman compared Monday’s Health Day to others in the past.

This year’s event culminated with a tasty meal catered by Kevin Murphy with assistance from culinary arts students from Thunderbolt Career and Technology Center. A fashion show and the distribution of door prizes courtesy of the generosity of local merchants brought this year’s event to an end. All look forward to what next year’s event will bring.