HAWTHORNE, Fla. (WCJB) – Officials at the Hawthorne Area Resource Center are making sure people get a check-up.

They hosted a free Health and Hope Fair in partnership with UF Health. Event organizers say it’s important to raise awareness of the resources available to take care of yourself.

The fair included meet-and-greets with healthcare navigators and general internists for clinical advice.

“The hope is, and they’ve done studies at health fairs, and about 45% of people who come to a health fair then go visit their doctor,” said Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease Specialist Fredrick Southwick. “So our hope is they will become part of the system.”

People who stopped by could donate blood at the blood mobile, and they also received a free health screening, including blood pressure checks from UF medical students.

“In America, we have a lot of systemic gaps in our healthcare, and the best solutions are always by networking solutions,” shared Elise Mills, president of Right Care Alliance UF Chapter. “Rather than having isolated hubs, coming together and joining forces does a great job of lifting up communities.”

The American Legion also attended, offering resources for Veterans.

Officials who hosted the event say they plan to hold more of these free fairs in other rural communities across North Central Florida in the near future.

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