Health Fair draws community together for day of fun and information

On sunny Sunday, May 7, the New Parkway Hospital hosted its Spring Health and Wellness Fair.
Featuring free screenings, free food, free presentations and free entertainment — including rides, face painting, clowns, and live jazz band — the day’s festivities were a means by which the hospital drew hundreds of area residents to give back to the community.
“This hospital is a great community hospital and a viable resource in the heart of Queens,” said Frederick Stewart, Vice President of Marketing for the New Parkway Hospital. “This [the health fair] is our way of reaching out to the community to tell them and to let them know about the services for seniors and families in Forest Hills.”
Sponsored by Liberty Health Advantage and the New Parkway Hospital, presenters at the fair included Madison York Assisted Living, Fairview, the Visiting Nurse Service, Forest View Rehabilitation and Nursing, Boro Medical, Regal Heights Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, and more.
“This is a very good event,” said Christine Pennington, Director of Admissions and Marketing for Regal Heights, which is affiliated with Parkway. “It shows the people in the community what is available for them.”
Vicki Malone-Allan, executive director of Sterling Glen of Forest Hills, echoed the sentiment.
“There is a great need in this area for assisted living,” she said. “It’s important for us to come out and be as involved in the community as we can.”
Another company that has forged a relationship with the New Parkway Hospital is Liberty Health Advantage (LHA), which provides clients with alternatives to traditional Medicare benefits.
All of the primary care physicians involved with LHA are from Parkway, meaning that patients get quality, consistent care every time. Aside from all the informational services available, the health fair also provided a day of family fun.
Lisa Pepe, whose husband Steve is in Administration at Parkway, was there with her 16-month-old daughter Gabriella, who seemed to be having a great time.
Rego Park resident Lena Polt brought her children Elona, 9, David, 5, and Deanna, 7.
“We heard the news about the free screenings and information,” she said. “We’re new to this country [originally from Russia] and wanted more information. Also, since I work in a medical office, I got important information for my patients.”
Parkway Hospital, currently under new ownership, has undergone a lot of renovations recently.
Four of five patient floors have were, and the administration plans to remodel the emergency room and the first floor of the hospital, followed by surgical suites.
Parkway is located at 70-35 113th Street in Forest Hills. To learn more, call (718) 990-4131.