By Rachel Galvin
On Oct. 22, the NE Focal Point held their Health & Wellness Expo for the 16th year. Outside, the Man Van provided checks on glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index at no charge by Broward Health Imperial Point. In the Adult Day Services Center, there was free skin cancer screenings by Hecker Dermatology Group, carotid artery screening by Broward Health North and blood pressure screening by the NE Focal Point Health Support. In the multi-purpose room, there was balance screening and body mass index by Nova Southeastern University’s physical therapy department students with Dr. Nof and Dr. Stern, and flu shots by Walgreens.
Deputies from Broward Sheriff’s Office conducted Operation Medicine Cabinet, allowing people to turn in their unused medication. Also in the Multi-Purpose Room, there were plenty of people with tables set up offering information on a variety of health services, including insurance, dental, medical, nutrition, financial, chiropractic, home health and more. Joe Aliotta of Personalized Therapeutics gave massages.
Goldie Louis, provider relations manager of Avenue Supportive Care, said they attended last year as well and said, “This is a good way to network, good interaction with other people.”
This was the first year for South Florida Smile Spa, located in Pompano a company that is always trying to interact with and give back to the community.
“This is great. It’s a lively group,” said Dr. Nicole Berger. “We like to be involved as much as we can. We donate money to schools, do walks for charities…. We give seniors who don’t have insurance discounts. We try to reach out to the community,” said Dr. Berger, who has been in practice for 12 years, but will have been in her Pompano office for eight in January.
“It’s been a wonderful day. The weather is gorgeous. I am grateful for the support of the vendors. Our mission is to keep people healthy, active. Early detection and health prevention are keys to good health and wellness. Today provided that opportunity,” said Donna DeFronzo, director of Senior Services.
New Recreation Coordinator for the Senior Center Dania Bernard, who is taking over from Tamara Sutton, took pictures of all the activities. Bernard has had a background in everything from being a flight attendant to event planning. She had an opportunity to work with her mom, who was a nurse, to help a patient who lived with them. Bernard sees this new role as a great way to combine her love of helping the elderly with her skills in event planning.
Recreational Coordinator of the Alzheimer’s Center Ann Sico served as the emcee for the day. Besides the tables to browse through, there was also ballroom dancing, line dancing and hula dancing to watch and door prize drawings. Guests enjoyed refreshments, including muffins, hamburgers, hot dogs.
NE Focal Point is located at 227 NW 2 St. in Deerfield Beach. For more information, call 954-480-4449 or visit www.nefocalpoint.org.
