Another planning meeting for the annual Putnam Day of Health was held via Zoom on Aug. 29, with community members from local churches, businesses, and hospitals attending virtually.
Faith in Rural Health Program Director Paul Byrd hosted the call and welcomed everyone to discuss confirming and sharing ideas for the Putnam County Collaborative Health Fair, scheduled for Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton.
The Putnam County Collaborative Health Fair aims to provide the community with free screenings, tests, and other health-related resources. Blood pressure and cholesterol checks will be among the services provided.
Vendor applications are still being accepted at georgiaruralhealth.org/programs-andevents/health-fairs/health-fair-registration.
Byrd and the call’s participants anticipate building on last year’s success, providing guests with physical, mental, and spiritual health and well-being resources. The collaborative hopes to host another successful 5K run to kick everything off as well, with details still being finalized.
However, before the Putnam Health Fair, there will be the Faith in Rural Health Summit, a free event at Mercer University in Macon from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 4.
The summit’s goal is to foster stronger partnerships between these crucial sectors, ultimately improving health outcomes in rural counties across Georgia. Topics include: “Successful Faith-Health Partnership in Rural Georgia” and “Best Practices for Addressing the Spiritual Needs that Patients Bring to Medical Settings.”
Breakfast and lunch will be provided. This event will explore how healthcare providers and faith leaders can collaborate to address health challenges in their communities.
Interested physicians, healthcare professionals, chaplains, faith leaders, and students in health care, theology, or public health are encouraged to support and participate in either or both of these rural healthcare initiatives.