Students and faculty were able to partake in free medical screenings, tests and receive flu shots Tuesday as part of Marshall University’s College of Health Professions’ annual Health and Wellness Fair.

Megan Archer, university communication specialist and coordinator of the fair, said having a health and wellness fair on campus is helpful for students, faculty and staff in order to take advantage of free screenings that they may not have access to elsewhere.

“Last year we had two faculty members do the blood glucose testing, and they found out that they were pre-diabetic,” Archer said. ‘It’s not just something to do and say you’ve done it. It’s something that is actually changing lives in a sense and have people aware of health issues that they have or may have in the future.”

Archer said the fair usually takes place in September because that is when a higher portion of the community gets sick.

“We just know it’s that time of year when people start to get a cold, the flu and other types of sickness,” Archer said. “Flu season is around the corner, so it’s a jump start to healthy living here on campus.”

Bruce Felder, director of human resource services, said employees at Marshall who take care of themselves mentally and physically will help to complete the mission and vision of the university.

“Things such as healthy eating habits to dieting and exercise to yoga and meditation, all of those types of things will make for a well-rounded mind, body and soul experience,” Felder said. “If you can really tap into those things then it will make you much better of an employee, so you can continue with the mission of the university, and that is educating students.”

Felder said the event can be beneficial for those who do not normally take care of themselves but focus on others.

“It is so important for everyone in the community to get involved, especially Marshall students and faculty,” Felder said. “Sometimes we get so busy wrapped up in our day to day work and life, and we do things for everybody but fail to take care of ourselves. You can’t be good to anyone else unless you are good to yourself first.”

Alison Baldridge can be contacted at [email protected].