Healthy Tennessee free health fair to offer screenings, medical advice in Brainerd

Dr. Manny Sethi, founder of the non-profit Healthy Tennessee, speaks about Chattanooga health care at a press conference on May 8, 2015.
Dr. Manny Sethi, founder of the non-profit Healthy Tennessee, speaks about Chattanooga health care at a press conference on May 8, 2015.

Healthy Tennessee Free Health Fair

Where: Brainerd Youth Center and Family Development Center, 1010 N. Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411 When: Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m. 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.myhealthytennessee.com or call 615-208-4417

Sometimes a simple health fair can push people toward a lifesaving health change, health advocates say.

"For someone to talk to a doctor face to face without having to make an appointment can be huge," said Stacy Gardner, spokeswoman for Healthy Tennessee, a Nashville-based nonprofit that is hosting a free health fair in Chattanooga this week.

Many people who attend the health fairs put on by the organization come for a range of screenings: blood pressure checks, blood sugar screenings, eye and hearing exams, diabetes risk assessments, and BMI checks.

On Saturday, the gym at the Brainerd Youth and Family Development Center will be full of doctors, nurses, and healthy lifestyle companies, ready to offer such screenings along with face-to-face health consultations, health-related products and a range of screenings.

Healthy Tennessee has been holding such health fairs around the state for three years.

"We're very excited about the response we're seeing from doctors and health care-focused organizations from all over the Chattanooga area," said Vanderbilt trauma surgeon Dr. Manny Sethi, who founded Healthy Tennessee with his wife, Maya.

The group is working with Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke's office to put on the fair. In a statement, Berke said such events "ensure a stronger, healthier city of Chattanooga for all our residents."

About 16 percent of people in Hamilton County are uninsured.

Area physicians and health care professionals are invited to participate in the health fair free of charge, and can participate by contacting Healthy Tennessee.

Some of the doctors who will be available are with Medicaid plans like United Health Care, Amerigroup Real Solutions and Blue Care Tennessee. Those providers will be available to discuss how to find the right health care plan for individuals and families, Gardner said.

Upcoming Events