Midstate chamber hosts health expo at Meriden Mall - Meriden Record-Journal

Midstate chamber hosts health expo at Meriden Mall – Meriden Record-Journal

February 23, 2022
11:07 am

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MERIDEN — Midstate Chamber of Commerce hosted a Health and Wellness Expo Saturday at the Meriden Mall.

The event was sponsored by Hartford HealthCare with exhibitors Rushford, Always Best Care Senior Services, the city’s Health and Human Services Department, Wellcare, Hunter’s Ambulance and New Opportunities.

Rosanne Ford, president of the Midstate chamber, said the event provided a good cross-section of local health-related services and careers.

“We got many different exhibitors giving out great information to the community,” Ford said.

Services

Rushford and the health department collaborated to offer free training in the use of overdose reversal medication Narcan. The training is an essential part of overdose prevention education, officials said.

“The training is important and it’s a way for the community to see what an actual overdose looks like,” said Elizabeth DeMerchant, public health educator for the city. Additional training will be held virtually over Zoom. Register by emailing edmerchant@meridenct.gov.

Always Best Care Senior Services was on hand to explain the range of in-home services it offers including bathing, dressing, meal preparation, feeding, housekeeping, shopping and incontinence care.

“We don’t just provide our services to seniors,” said Beth Milano-O’Sullivan, sales & marketing manager and community liaison. “We also provide to those who truly need help such as the disabled and those who are out of rehab.”

Milano-O’Sullivan also shared information about job opportunities. For more information email emosullivan@abc-seniors.com.

Danielle Vailonis of Hunter’s Ambulance was there to recruit people for Hunter’s emergency medical technician program called “Earn While You Learn.”

The program offers full-time employment while participants receive EMT certification through the state.

“This is a great opportunity for people who really want to become certified while getting paid,” Vailonis said. Apply at www.huntersamb.com/careers or call (203) 235-3369 for more information.

Vaccine clinics

A free COVID-19 vaccination clinic was held in conjunction with the expo by Griffin Health and the state Department of Public Health.

Nallely Acosta, regional coordinator at DPH, said the event helped attract area residents to the Meriden Mall, while encouraging them to get vaccinated.

After they got vaccinated, Acosta handed them a $20 gift card to Stop & Shop.

“People can visit our website to see where vaccination clinics will be held in the next two weeks,” Acosta said.

The community

Maria Judith Cordero, a community advocate, decided to attend the event with her mother Naomi Sanchez Marcano, who recently came from Puerto Rico.

“I want her to know what services are available to her,” Cordero said. “I also have been taking her to other community events so she can know Meriden.”

Cordero says it’s important to offer services to the community. She tries to help in her own way.

“If someone comes to me for help, I always try to get them in touch with the service they need.” Cordero said.

MERIDEN — Midstate Chamber of Commerce hosted a Health and Wellness Expo Saturday at the Meriden Mall.
The event was sponsored by Hartford HealthCare with exhibitors Rushford, Always Best Care Senior Services, the city’s Health and Human Services Department, Wellcare, Hunter’s Ambulance and New Opportunities.
Rosanne Ford, president of the Midstate chamber, said the event provided a good cross-section of local health-related services and careers.
“We got many different exhibitors giving out great information to the community,” Ford said.
Services
Rushford and the health department collaborated to offer free training in the use of overdose reversal medication Narcan. The training is an essential part of overdose prevention education, officials said.
“The training is important and it’s a way for the community to see what an actual overdose looks like,” said Elizabeth DeMerchant, public health educator for the city. Additional training will be held virtually over Zoom. Register by emailing edmerchant@meridenct.gov.
Always Best Care Senior Services was on hand to explain the range of in-home services it offers including bathing, dressing, meal preparation, feeding, housekeeping, shopping and incontinence care.
“We don’t just provide our services to seniors,” said Beth Milano-O’Sullivan, sales & marketing manager and community liaison. “We also provide to those who truly need help such as the disabled and those who are out of rehab.”
Milano-O’Sullivan also shared information about job opportunities. For more information email emosullivan@abc-seniors.com.
Danielle Vailonis of Hunter’s Ambulance was there to recruit people for Hunter’s emergency medical technician program called “Earn While You Learn.”
The program offers full-time employment while participants receive EMT certification through the state.
“This is a great opportunity for people who really want to become certified while getting paid,” Vailonis said. Apply at www.huntersamb.com/careers or call (203) 235-3369 for more information.
Vaccine clinics
A free COVID-19 vaccination clinic was held in conjunction with the expo by Griffin Health and the state Department of Public Health.
Nallely Acosta, regional coordinator at DPH, said the event helped attract area residents to the Meriden Mall, while encouraging them to get vaccinated.
After they got vaccinated, Acosta handed them a $20 gift card to Stop & Shop.
“People can visit our website to see where vaccination clinics will be held in the next two weeks,” Acosta said.
The community
Maria Judith Cordero, a community advocate, decided to attend the event with her mother Naomi Sanchez Marcano, who recently came from Puerto Rico.
“I want her to know what services are available to her,” Cordero said. “I also have been taking her to other community events so she can know Meriden.”
Cordero says it’s important to offer services to the community. She tries to help in her own way.
“If someone comes to me for help, I always try to get them in touch with the service they need.” Cordero said.