Dr. Ciela Lopez-Armstrong delivered a presentation on arthritis to an attentive crowd.

The halls of the Alpharetta campus of Georgia State University were bustling last Friday as community members came out to attend the 6th Annual 50+ Health Expo. Offered through North Fulton Regional Hospital and the Gerontology Institute of Georgia State University, the event packed an impressive punch, incorporating numerous types of screenings and timely lectures.

At any particular time throughout the day, people were lined up into the hallways, waiting to have their bone density screened and to participate in the balance screenings and exercises offered by the physical therapists. In another room, the Respiratory Therapy Department busied itself providing free pulmonary function screenings while across the way, a dietitian provided helpful guidance for various nutritional needs with little break in between visitors. And despite the fear of the “little stick,” people faithfully waited for their cholesterol screenings. These are just a few of the health screenings offered at the event, all free of charge to the participants.

Also dispersed throughout the day was a series of demonstrations and lectures. To kick off the morning with some physical activity, Yong Tai Wang, PhD, got attendees on their feet with Tai Chi exercises for senior mental and physical health. There were also informative presentations by Dr. Ciela Lopez-Armstrong on Arthritis, Dr. Jeffrey Albert on Total Joint Replacement and Dr. Ken Joel on Back Pain.

Looking forward to next year, both North Fulton Regional Hospital and the Gerontology Institute are encouraged by the success of this event.

“This year there was a lot of excitement and energy,” said North Fulton Regional Hospital Community Education Coordinator Diane Sanders. “It seemed to be fun for everyone, the volunteers and employees as well as those who attended for the screenings and lectures. We hope to continue with this energy next year.”

North Fulton Regional Hospital (NFRH) is a 202 bed acute-care hospital located on Highway 9, Alpharetta Highway, in Roswell. Opened in 1983, NFRH serves North Fulton and surrounding counties through its team of over 1000 employees, 400 staff physicians and 200 volunteers. NFRH is a state-designated Level II trauma center and provides a continuum of services through its centers and programs, including neurosciences, orthopedics, rehabilitation, surgical services, bariatric surgical weight loss, gastroenterology and oncology. The hospital is fully accredited and also is certified as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.

For more information about North Fulton Regional Hospital and any of the various programs, services and community programs we offer, call 770-751-2500.