A community health fair aimed at providing affordable care and testing returns to Montezuma County this spring after the COVID‑19 pandemic prompted a pause.
On April 18, Southwest Health System and the county’s Public Health Department will jointly host the fair, which has historically drawn 400 to 500 participants. The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 18, at the Montezuma County Annex, 107 N. Chestnut St.
The fair revives an event last held locally in 2019, when the hospital partnered with the statewide 9Health Fair organization, based in Denver. After the organization dissolved and pandemic restrictions halted large gatherings, local organizers revived the concept through a partnership between the hospital and county health department.
Meghan Higman, director of inpatient services and education at Southwest Health System, said the event is designed to give residents a lower‑cost way to access basic health information.
“At the heart of it, the goal is provide labs at a cost‑effective rate and have an opportunity to visit health and wellness booths or chat with a care provider,” Higman said.
Under the new model, Southwest Health System will provide laboratory services as the health department helps coordinate logistics and follow‑up for critical lab results.
The event will offer blood testing including chemistry panels, cholesterol, thyroid tests, hemoglobin A1C, vitamin D and additional screenings. Volunteer nurses, lab staff and EMS personnel from the hospital will collect blood samples, which will be processed at the hospital.
Participants who have access to the hospital’s patient portal can receive their lab results the same day. Those without portal access may pick up results the following Monday, Higman said.
In addition to testing, the fair will feature wellness and education stations where residents can speak with health professionals about mental health, physical activity, diabetes management and nutrition. Physical therapists, a diabetes educator and a dietitian are expected to participate, along with other community partners.
Organizers will also offer a station called “Ask or Talk With a Doc,” where Southwest Health providers will answer health questions and help schedule follow‑up appointments with primary care if needed.
A mobile immunization clinic will be on site through a partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, offering free vaccines for adults and children.
Higman said affordability remains one of the biggest barriers to health care in the region, even though local services are available. Many residents delay treatment because of cost, she said, allowing preventable conditions to advance into emergencies.
“An effort like the health fair would be how we identify things sooner and help people earlier so they aren’t in a life or death crisis emergency situation,” Higman said.
Part of the fair’s goal is to educate residents about navigating health systems and understanding financial payment plans that are available.
“The hospital is a nonprofit. We have an internal financial assistance program that offers discounted rates on health care services and cash discounts,” Higman said. “I don’t think a lot of people know that.”
Testing at the fair will be paid for at the time of service and won’t be billed to insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. Payments must be made by cash, personal check or credit card, though organizers say cash or check will speed up checkout.
Preregistration is encouraged through a QR code on the event flyer to allow participants to complete paperwork and payment ahead of time.
“Our team can call them in advance, get them all registered and paid. So day of, literally, they don’t have to stand in a check‑in line,” Higman said. “They get their own line. They are able to fast-track almost directly back to the lab.”
awatson@the‑journal.com
