On Monday, May 8, The 15th Annual Mind Matters Health Fair: Stronger Together drew over 350 attendees. Focusing on brain health, speakers included T. Shawn Caudill, MD, MSPH; Gregory Jicha, MD, PhD; Sheliza Ali, PhD; Karen Bryla McNees, EdD, RD; and Elizabeth Rhodus, PhD, OTR/L.
Interactive exhibitors from the community had booths with microscopes to view brain tissue samples, games to test knowledge about brain health and community resources, blood pressure checks, massage chairs, sensory tools, and discussions about how to participate in research. A barbershop quartet was lunchtime entertainment. The Longship Club at Kroger Field provided the perfect venue for the day.
This event, sparked by Dr. Gregory Jicha, is an ongoing endeavor to bring current research regarding brain health to the forefront. The community needs to know the best ways to keep their brains healthy as they age. As stated by Dr. Greg Jicha, “prevention is how we are going to cure Alzheimer’s.”