BECKLEY, W.Va. – Beckley ARH Hospital, Raleigh General Hospital, 59 News and agencies with the Beckley Partnership for Community Health are excited to present the Coalfields Community Health Fair Oct. 15 at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

The event, which is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., will feature more than 70 healthcare-related vendors from throughout the region.

“We realize that prioritizing care is ongoing, and it doesn’t just apply within hospital walls,” said Tammy Hall-Richardson, director of case management at Raleigh General Hospital. “We know one of the best ways we can give back to the place we call home is to come together, under one roof, to make it easier for people to see all the services that are available, receive education, and be given the ability to make informed decisions about their health care they might not have otherwise.”

Beckley ARH Hospital Community Development Manager Kelly Elkins said the event is another opportunity for both hospitals to help reduce common barriers to healthcare.

“It’s a vital connection point between healthcare providers, community partners and the communities we serve,” she said.

“The fair helps us meet people where they are, ensuring that individuals and families have the tools they need to take charge of their own health.”

Vendors will offer a variety of services including dental screenings, video ear exams mental health, stroke and cancer screenings, blood pressure and glucose checks, blood pressure and glucose checks, as well as balance, mental health, stroke and cancer screenings. Flu shots and other vaccines will be available through the Raleigh County Health Department.

Additionally, 11 free “Snack Chats” will take place throughout the day, as visitors are invited to grab a seat and a snack – freshly baked cookies prepared by Raleigh General’s Senior Friends – as they listen to providers and other vendors speak about subjects including women’s health and breast cancer awareness, dialysis, disease self-management, living wills and power of attorney, prosthetics, hospice and palliative care and rehabilitation services.

Both Raleigh General Hospital CEO David Brash and Beckley ARH Hospital CEO Todd Howell, acknowledged the importance of healthcare providers coming together to help improve the health of the communities they serve.

“We are proud to partner with Beckley ARH and the partners within our Community Coalition to bring this health fair to our community,” Brash said. “Together, we are making it easier for families to access important screenings, resources, and education that support healthier lives. Collaboration like this strengthens our mission of building a healthier community for everyone.” 

Howell added, “Our mission at ARH is to promote and improve the well-being of all those we serve. We are proud of the relationships we’ve built with our community partners. We all have the same goals at the end of the day, and in working together, we are confident we can better serve our community and its residents.”

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In a twist to this year’s fair, vendors will compete in a booth competition, following a “Decades” theme, with vendors dressing up and decorating their booths to represent eras ranging from the Wild West to the 1990s.

The event, which is open and free to all ages, will also feature chair yoga, door prizes and cornhole competitions.

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