Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center Hosts Annual Senior Health Fair

April 23, 2008

Day will feature physician lectures, 28 information booths, and screenings for blood pressure, blood glucose, diabetes, dental hygiene, bone density, glaucoma and a variety of other health issues.

Santa Cruz, Calif.– Seniors and their families are invited to learn more about diabetes, allergies and a multitude of other health topics at the 11th Annual Senior Health Fair from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center (SMSC), 2900 Chanticleer Avenue in Santa Cruz.

“It is very important for seniors to maintain a healthy lifestyle and receive regular health screenings,” said David Sofen, M.D., regional medical director for the Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group. “The Senior Health Fair has been instrumental in providing just such an opportunity for the seniors in our community for many years.”

There will be a number of activities for seniors and their families, including:


  • Free lectures in the Sutter Room beginning at 9 a.m. Speakers include:
    9 a.m.: Sharan Gill M.D. – “Diabetes and the Senior Population”
    10 a.m.: Daniel Kim M.D. – “Allergic Rhinitis in Adults”
    11 a.m.: William Hart M.D. – “Sleep and Aging”
    Question and answer sessions follow each presentation.
  • Screenings for blood pressure, blood glucose, diabetes, dental hygiene, bone density, glaucoma and a variety of other health issues will be offered throughout the day. Attendees who participate in the cholesterol or blood glucose screening must fast for 12 hours before the screening.
  • Santa Cruz County health care providers will be available to answer questions and share literature from their agencies.

In addition, individuals wishing to safely dispose of expired prescriptions may bring their old medications to the SMSC pharmacy.

The fair, which attracted more than 350 people last year, is co-sponsored by the Santa Cruz Medical Foundation, SMSC, VNA of Santa Cruz, and the Santa Cruz County Parks and Recreation Department.

Community and health partners participating in the event include: Alzheimer´s Association, American Red Cross, Cabrillo College, California Transplant Donor Network, Community Bridges, Companion for Life, Dientes, Elderday, File of Life, Five Branches Institute, Foster Grandparents, Health Projects Center, Helping Hands, Life Line Project, Meals on Wheels, Medic Alert, Medicare D/Social Security, Monterey Bay Dental Hygienists, Santa Cruz Nephrology Medical Group - Bone Density, Screening Satellite Dialysis Watsonville, Seniors Council, Senior Network Services/HICAP, VNA of Santa Cruz, Volunteer Center, Women Care, and Women´s Heart Advantage.

The Palo Alto Medical Foundation for Health Care, Research and Education is a not-for-profit health care organization that is a pioneer in the multispecialty group practice of medicine. The Santa Cruz region of PAMF provides care through three local facilities: Santa Cruz Medical Clinic, Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center and the VNA of Santa Cruz County. The division also includes the Santa Cruz Medical Foundation, which provides Santa Cruz County residents with general health care, family practice, urgent care, primary care and health care specialists. The 30-bed Sutter Maternity and Surgery Center offers state-of-the-art perinatal and medical/surgical services combining the luxury of a fine hotel with the safety and security of a licensed accredited hospital. VNA of Santa Cruz County, a bilingual/bicultural organization, provides quality, compassionate, skilled care to homebound patients throughout Santa Cruz County. For more information about the PAMF´s Santa Cruz Division, please visit www.santacruzmedical.org. PAMF is part of the Sutter Health family of not-for-profit physician organizations and hospitals that share resources and expertise to advance health care quality. Serving more than 100 communities in Northern California, Sutter Health is a regional leader in cardiac care as well as care of women and children, and is a pioneer in advanced patient safety technology. For more information, visit www.pamf.org.