Chamber Health & Wellness Expo Returns This Weekend

The Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce will host its seventh annual Community Health and Wellness Expo on April 23rd, presented by the Oak Park Formula Fitness Club (FFC). More than 80 local service providers and vendors will participate in health checks, events and more. This event is free and open to the public. It is open to anyone in Oak Park, River Forest and all surrounding communities.

This will be the third time in seven years that the Chamber has hosted the Community Health and Wellness Expo at FFC. The downtown Oak Park location offers ample space for vendors, engaging children’s activities, lift access and nearby free parking (Holley Court car park directly behind the FFC).

While the fair’s goal has always been to provide opportunities for local businesses to showcase their services, another focus of this year’s fair is to expand the show’s reach at a regional level to benefit surrounding cities.Themes of providing quality medical care and health education resonate

This year’s show will include a record number of free health screenings and services from attendees including RUSH Oak Park Hospital, Riveredge Hospital, West Suburban Medical Center, University of Illinois Cancer Center, B-Health and more. Visitors are expected to come from surrounding cities and villages, including Chicago, Berwyn, Cicero, Forest Park, Forest River, Maywood, Elmwood Park, Broadview and more.

“RUSH Oak Park Hospital is proud to once again be the exclusive sponsor of the 7th Annual Oak Park River Forest Chamber Community Health and Wellness Expo,” said Caroline Heskett, Program Manager, Office of Community Health Equity and Engagement, RUSH Oak Park Hospital. “We look forward to hosting this event each year to connect with the communities we serve and provide health education and screening.” This year RUSH will offer the following screenings: blood pressure, blood sugar, A1C, DEXA scan and comprehensive cardiac screening. A doctor will also be on hand to explain the test results.

The fair is the perfect place for the whole family to take advantage of the open climbing wall, free childcare and fun activities throughout the event. Local school districts are committed to promoting the event and encouraging their families to participate. The Chamber is also working closely with the townships of Oak Park and River Forest to engage seniors and provide transportation for events. “For our senior community, it’s often difficult to battle isolation and remain an active part of the community,” said Chamber executive director Liz Holt. “We’re committed to giving everyone the opportunity to join us in their day and enjoy it. It would be great if you could cross a few things off your to-do list for staying healthy!”

For the first time, the event will also partner with Downtown Oak Park to provide each attendee with a DTOP pass, which they can use to purchase specialty food and beverages at surrounding local restaurants after the event. Chamber President Darien Marion Burton said: “Working for the well-being of the business community as a whole is part of our Chamber’s mission and this partnership is the perfect way to guide our guests away from the show and in the surrounding area.”

Sam Yousif of B-Health, who also chairs the Health & Wellness Fair, said, “What I’ve seen in the past two months has been nothing short of shocking.” Our largest hospital brings individual therapists together to give us local and regional communities to provide and showcase their resources. These services will complement the youngest and oldest among us, and most importantly, the underserved and unresourced. “