New York - At George Wingate Park, in Brooklyn, New York, the sweet sounds of steel band music filled the crisp, breezy morning. The power walkers circled the track, the stilt dancer towered, dancing effortlessly against the sea blue sky. “You’ve got to be healthy to play mas,” remarked Ms. Yolanda Lezama-Clark, RN as she managed an information table at the “Walk For Fitness Event”. The Walk For Fitness Event was the morning component of Kings County Hospital Center – Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Annual Health Fair. Ms. Lezama-Clark, the daughter of the distinguished Carlos Lezama, is currently president of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA).
 

Ms. Lezama-Clark Assistant Director of Nursing at Kings County Hospital

Ms. Lezama-Clark is also the Assistant Director of Nursing at Kings County Hospital. She related, “The objective of the Walk For Fitness is to sign up people to participate in Brooklyn Steps For Health program and provide preventive health information to the members of the largely African-American and Caribbean-American communities which Kings County Hospital serves.” She noted that these communities are especially affected by high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and colon cancer. Ms. Lezama-Clark emphasized, “If people are aware of preventive and primary care they would be healthier. They don’t have to wait for a major disease to maintain good health.” She continued, “Music helps to energize this outreach initiative. The West Indian American Day Carnival Association decided to utilize artists and entertainment to reach the public and to partner with Kings County Hospital as we have done in the past two years.”

As Ms. Lezama-Clark spoke, the youthful members of Harmony Steel Orchestra played inspiring renditions of “Jumbie”, “I Want To See You”, “I Just Called” and ”Myo Mosa”. The offering of music, spring water, apples and oranges attracted basketball players and other Wingate Park enthusiasts to register their commitment to a six-week walking log. With the mantra, “Get Moving, Stay Moving”, the participants were informed that walking just 10,000 steps per day helps walkers to feel good, to control diabetes, lower chances of getting diabetes, heart disease and to lose weight. Those who signed up were fitted with a pedometer and were encouraged to join the walkers on the 1/5 mile track. Also provided was a gift bag that included a T-shirt from the cosponsor MetroPlus, an appealing liquid soap dispenser courtesy of the makers of the antidepressant Zoloft, a pedometer and “Walk A Day Journal”.

The Health Fair Continued from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the parking lot of the E and H Building at the Kings County Hospital. Hundreds of community members perused various health information booths and health screening tables which included among many, Ms. Gem Snagg, RN, a supervising nurse at the Kings County Intensive Care Unit who checked blood pressure and offered education in the risk factors related to high blood pressure. Ms. Tara Walker, from the City of New York, Human Resource administration represented a critical resource – food stamps. Ms. Walker revealed, “Many New Yorkers are eligible for food stamps but don’t apply. We are here today at the Health Fair to raise public awareness of the food stamp program and to assist people in filling their applications.”

Ms. Crystal McDaniel, an insurance agent for Columbian Mutual Life Insurance extolled the importance of life insurance coverage. She underscored that life insurance is a sensitive subject and one we tend to avoid because it reminds us of our mortality and vulnerability. She estimated that only 30% of people who live in Brownsville, East New York, Bedford-Stuyvesant have life insurance coverage. Ms. McDaniel stressed however, “Life insurance is primarily for loved ones you leave behind. If you don’t want to leave the burden of bills or burial on family members, life insurance offers that peace of mind.”

Among the various health information and screening tables were food vendors and vendors of life style products such Gails Stuff which featured a marvelous selection natural beauty and body products.

The afternoon was filled with splendid entertainment with selections from DJ Priest and sizzling rhythms from Casym Steel Orchestra. The Mildred Ford Young Models followed Casym as they danced to Chakakan’s “I’m Every Woman.” Among the lovely young ladies, in the dance troupe was Kayla Gittens who won a modeling competition held last week at Sunday, June 17 at IS 381. The Platinum Gospel Singers delivered the final performance.

As Ms. Lezama-Clark affirmed, the music energized the space of the Kings County Hospital and Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Health Center Annual Health Fair. Music certainly has been a healing force in our communities. It provides a context for unfolding the creative genius of people of African descent and it offers still a medium that can provide support in areas of our lives such as political, economic and educational empowerment that will yield dividends in the vastly improved health of our communities.

Honorable mention is made here of the sponsors and co-sponsors of the event: Kings County Hospital Center, Bally Total Fitness, Dr. Susan Smith McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Health, The Brooklyn Diabetes Task Force, Central Brooklyn Family Health Network, Health First, Kings County Hospital Community advisory Board, Lion’s Club of Farragut, West Indian American Day Carnival Association, American Diabetes Association, HHC, The Auxiliaries of KCHC Inc and DSSM, Inc.

Augustin J. Hinkson
Health, Wellness & Medicine Editor
Contact: health@panonthenet.com