An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Photo Information

Brenda J. Powell, nurse case manager, Naval Hospital Beaufort, enjoys a complimentary foot reflexology treatment at the Women?s Health and Wellness Fair May 4. The fair was held at the Laurel Bay Community Center, and it provided information on nutrition, mental health, stress management and more.

Photo by Cpl. K. A. Thompson

NHB Health Promotions springs into wellness

4 May 2005 | Cpl. K. A. Thompson Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

The Naval Hospital Beaufort Wellness and Health Promotion Department  held a Women’s Health and Wellness Fair at the Laurel Bay Community Center May 4.

“Spring into Wellness” was designed to promote women’s health and the prevention of illness and disease. Several Tri-Command military and community organizations and local businesses joined together to offer their services.

Curves for Women, the American Red Cross and Marine Corps Community Services, South Carolina were just a few of several organizations on hand to offer information on women’s health issues such as osteoporosis, stress, obesity and breast cancer.

Having a health fair catered specifically to women was important, according to Ivette Dixon, head of health promotion, NHB.

“Most women neglect their own health, because they are too busy taking care of their family,” Dixon said. “The idea was to provide a variety of services to increase awareness and motivate women to keep themselves fit and healthier.”

The event target was to provide free and easy access to information and wellness services to family members aboard Laurel Bay and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. However, the health fair did have a few specific messages that NHB Health Promotions wanted to communicate, according to Dixon.

“Spring into Health, take time for yourself, reduce stress and prevent illness and disease by keeping yourself physically active and practicing healthy eating,” Dixon said. “Another important message was early prevention of breast cancer by practicing monthly breast self-exams and annual medical exams.”

The women’s health fair was just one part of a large mission to keep the Tri-Command community healthy. The NHB Wellness and Health Promotion Department’s main initiative is to increase readiness and well being among all Tri-Command residents through the promotion of healthy life styles, according to Dixon.

“We enhance readiness and healthy life styles through awareness, education and intervention initiatives in the Tri-Command,” Dixon said.

Another health fair, which will be open to all Tri-Command community members, could take place in late summer according to Dixon.

“We may coordinate another health fair in mid-August for all beneficiaries,” Dixon said. “(The event would include) cholesterol screenings, body fat analysis and other topics. The exact date, time and location have not been determined. Also, the Breast Care Coordinator at Naval Hospital Beaufort, Ms. June Kasiak-Gambla, will be conducting the Breast Cancer Prevention Luncheon in October.”

For more information on healthy life styles or for future programs and events, call Health Promotion at 228-5344 or 228-5687.