SWMC has Record Breaking Year at the Health Fair

Liberal, KS – Nov. 1, 2024 – Southwest Medical Center (SWMC) proudly announced a record-breaking achievement at its annual Community Health Fair, held on Saturday, October 7, at the Seward County Activity Center. This year’s event was the largest in the region, attracting over 1,700 attendees and performing a remarkable 3,035 free exams, doubling the number of lab screenings to over 1,430 compared to last year.

The fair welcomed a diverse audience, including young families and seniors, demonstrating SWMC’s commitment to serving all community members. As the largest health fair in the region, it offered a wide range of free screenings and health resources, empowering attendees to take charge of their health.

“We want to thank everyone involved in our annual Community Health Fair,” said Janeth Vazquez, Director of Marketing and Business Development. “From the doctors and sponsors to all the volunteers, this is truly a community effort. Without their support, this event would not be possible. Congratulations to everyone—we’ve broken records with our numbers, and together, we’re providing our community with the tools and resources to stay healthy and proactive about their health.”

Recent data reveals that Seward County has one of the highest uninsured rates in Kansas, with approximately 26% of its population lacking health insurance—significantly higher than both state and national averages. The primary objective of the Community Health Fair is to increase access to essential health services for those facing barriers to care, such as lack of insurance, language barriers, and transportation challenges.

“Events like this are critical for helping those who don’t have regular access to healthcare,” Amber Williams, CEO, said. “Southwest Medical Center is dedicated to providing resources and support for our community, and this health fair is a prime example of that commitment.”

SWMC partnered with over 50 community organizations and county agencies, as well as numerous local businesses, to offer attendees up-to-date information on a variety of health-related services. The event serves as both a vital resource for health information and a showcase for the incredible organizations that support our region.

A special thank you goes to the City of Liberal, the presenting sponsor, and Apex Clean Energy, our platinum sponsor, for their generous support of this initiative.

This year’s health fair reinforced SWMC’s mission to enhance community health and well-being. With record attendance and an outpouring of support, we look forward to continuing this important tradition in the years to come.

3035 Free Exams Performed at the 2024 Health Fair

1430 Lab Screenings
203 Pulse Oximetry/Spirometry Exams
173 Sleep Lab Assessments
255 Blood Pressure Exams
31 Ortho Exams
9 Hygiene Screenings
85 Clinical Breast Exams
137 Skin Cancer Screenings
179 Vision Screenings
117 Blood Glucose Exams
98 Physical Therapy Evaluations
24 Surgery Checkup Evaluations
26 Diabetic Foot Checks
115 Diabetes Risk Assessments
135 Flu Shots
8 Covid Shots