In honor of American Heart Month this February, Avalon Park Group has partnered with Florida Hospital East Orlando to bring the first annual Florida Hospital East Orlando Mega Heart Event to Downtown Avalon Park on February 9 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. But this is no ordinary health fair. No, this is one health fair with a big heart. Literally.
Activities for the day include healthcare booths inside the first floor of the Keith A. Ewing Medical Office Building, featuring local Avalon Park health-related businesses, offering information and a chance for residents to get to know their local specialty doctors. Outside the building, however, is where visitor’s hearts will really get moving with Mega Heart – the world’s only inflatable, walkthrough heart that allows participants to actually explore the human heart firsthand.
The Mega Heart allows visitors to experience the inner workings of the human heart by walking through one.
“The heart allows everyone to really see the inner workings of the heart – from valves to what damaged tissue looks like and even where stints go in,” says Scott Felker, marketing manager for Florida Hospital East Orlando. “You’ll be able to walk through and really experience what makes our tickers tick inside and out with the Mega Heart.” Cardiologists from the hospital will be present at strategically located sections of the Mega Heart to act as guides and answer questions as guests make their way through the inner-workings of the heart. The Mega Heart travels the country stopping at health fair events much like this one, however, this is the first time the heart will be making a stop in East Orlando. “We’re also offering complimentary EKG screenings to the first 70 people that sign up as a way to help educate the community on the various cardiovascular diseases that affect someone in this community every day,” says Felker.
Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are the nation’s number one killers, according to the American Heart Association. Since 1963 Congress has dedicated the month of February as American Heart Month to help educate the population about ways to prevent various heart diseases. “One of the great things about partnering with Avalon Park is that they are a health-oriented community,” says Felker. “They understand that heart education and health is key to a long, happy life and hopefully this will serve as just another motivator for people in East Orlando to continue to monitor their heart health and be sure they’re taking care of their body.”
“We’re thrilled to have the Mega Heart here to complement our existing lineup of healthcare professionals for the Florida Hospital East Orlando Mega Heart Event,” says Stephanie Hodson, marketing coordinator for Avalon Park Group. “This fair will serve as the first in a series of health related events to help our residents become more aware about these issues that affect each and every one of us.”
Residents like 27-year-old, Tina Jordan. “I just recently moved into Avalon Park and I’m thrilled they are taking the initiative to bring something like this so close to home,” she says. “Besides getting to know all of my future doctors, I’m most excited about being able to walk around in a giant human heart, that’s just something I never thought I’d be able to say.”
Avalon Park healthcare professionals are also excited to participant in the first annual health event for the community. “This is a great opportunity for the community to get a chance to find out about the providers and services they have right here in their area,” says Dr. Ken Tesinsky, owner of Avalon Park Eye Care. “We look forward to sharing the importance of health and preventative care with residents.”
Because Avalon Park is an area focused on community awareness and health, according to Hodson, these events are paramount in the continued growth and strength of the local population there. “It’s just another aspect to add to that complete healthy lifestyle that so many of our residents enjoy,” she says.
Article by Corey Gehrold
