02/23/2026
Fitzgibbon Hospital’s Annual Health Fair Scheduled for Friday, April 24
The annual Health Fair at Fitzgibbon Hospital will be held from 7 to 10 a.m., Friday, April 24, in the hospital’s atrium. This event provides easy access to numerous health screenings to help people “know their numbers” and is part of the hospital’s mission of “Improving the Health of our Community.”
“We have provided the Fitzgibbon Health Fair for many years, and the evaluations from those participating always demonstrate how important this event is for them,” said Richard DeFord, Manager of Marketing and Spiritual Care at Fitzgibbon Hospital. “Common themes from these evaluations are ‘thank you for having this,’ while others have shared that results from the Health Fair were one of the primary ways they monitor their overall health.
Each year the Fitzgibbon Hospital Health Fair provides an opportunity for members of the community to receive low-cost blood tests and health screenings. This year’s fair will allow attendees to receive a package of laboratory tests, including blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, electrolytes and fluid balance, kidney and liver function, cholesterol, thyroid stimulating hormone and anemia. These tests are available as a package for just $30. Additionally, individuals can receive a Vitamin D test for just $20. Low Vitamin D can cause low energy levels, poor sleep, chronic pain and depression.
Several providers will be on hand to visit with individuals about challenges they may have in their health. Jacob Elfrink, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Fitzgibbon Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, will talk about orthopedic needs, while Wallace Ralston, DNP/CRNA, pain specialist will be available to visit with patients about quality-of-life and management of pain. Miles Romney, orthopedic PA, also will visit with individuals at risk for osteoporosis. Romney started an osteoporosis clinic last year inside Marshall Family Practice. Post-menopausal women and women over age 65 should receive regular evaluation for osteoporosis and, in prescribed, a DEXA bone density test.
Boone Hospital will be on premises this year to screen individuals for skin cancer and other skin conditions which will be especially important for those engaged in farming and other outdoor activities.
Men attending the Health Fair also can receive a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test for just $10. The PSA test is an early screening aimed at detecting possible prostate cancer. In addition to these low-cost screenings, there will be several free screenings provided as well. Individuals will be able to have their blood pressure checked, along with their body mass index and respiratory function evaluated.
“We have really streamlined our registration process through the years with the availability of online pre-registration,” said DeFord. “To pre-register, individuals should go to www.fitzgibbon.org/preregister and fill out the online form, on or before April 19. Then on the morning of the Health Fair, those who have pre-registered have a different line. They then pay for their tests and move on to the screenings. It’s simple, and it’s a real time-saver.”
Anyone receiving the blood tests at the event must have fasted for 12 hours, to ensure test accuracy. That is the primary reason why the event is held in the morning - so individuals can come before breakfast. A light breakfast is served for free to all of those having their blood drawn.
For more information about the event, call DeFord at (660) 831-3235. The Health Fair is sponsored annually by Fitzgibbon Hospital in collaboration with The Marshall Democrat-News and KMMO radio, news outlets which assist in publicizing the event. To pre-register for this year’s Health Fair, visit www.fitzgibbon.org/preregister.
