NCNW Gulfport Section gears up for Men’s Health Fair with free vaccines and screenings

June 23, 2023June 23, 2023 By Ashley Prima Events / Health / Nonprofitschurch,community,fair,gulf coast,health,men,women

When it comes to health, everyone needs to be aware of it, including men. That’s why members of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Gulfport Section are gearing up for their second Men’s Health Fair set for Saturday, June 24, 2023.
The fair is the second segment of what is planned to become an annual two-part event. It kicks off following an eventful weekend of Juneteenth holiday celebrations across the Mississippi Gulf Coast and recognizes that Men’s Health Month is in full swing this month, carrying just as much weight in significance inside an era of Covid-19 and seasonal Flu, among other infectious diseases and viruses.
The Men’s Health Fair II will be underway from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Morning Star Baptist Church located at 2050 Thornton Ave., in Gulfport. It is a unique, first of its kind event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that made its debut with the Men’s Health Fair I in January. The event aims to help men better understand and gain a different perspective on their health. And it is designed to bring the community together to focus on ways to monitor and improve the health of men.

MSCCC, SPL Tashonda Sharpe of Ocean Springs provides hearing screenings during the Men’s Health Fair I sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women Gulfport Section. The event is a first of its kind on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Memorial Health System’s Tony Alves provides health information to an attendee at this year’s inaugural Men’s Health Fair I held in January at Gulfport’s Morning Star Baptist Church.

John Whitfield, Pastor at Morning Star Baptist Church in Gulfport, gets his blood pressure checked by one of Memorial Health System’s resident Dr. Thinn Zaw during the Men’s Health Fair.

      “We have to begin to focus on personal health and wellness,” said Morning Star Baptist Church Pastor John Whitfield, Gulfport, while attending the first Men’s Health Fair held on January 21, 2023. “The church’s theme for 2023 is developing the spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional well-being of every person. Part of our goal is to take the theme into the community beyond the church.”
    Whitfield also expressed his gratitude for all the participants who provided their services offered and to everyone who attended the event and took advantage of the opportunity.
     “All too often we offer services, and the general public does not take advantage of them,” Whitfield said. “But today was an exception.”

A crowd of nearly 80 men attended this year’s inaugural Men’s Health Fair sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women Gulfport Section.

Freebies and gifts including a healthy lunch to go were handed out to participants at the Men’s Health Fair in Gulfport on January 21, 2023.

Games like Health Jeopardy were both fun and educational to help attendees engage in learning more about their physical and mental health during the Men’s Health Fair sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women Gulfport Section.

The health fair is sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) Gulfport Section and encourages men of all ages to take charge of their health and remind them that “good health always wins.” The NCNW is dedicated to leading and advocating for and empowering women of African descent, their families, and communities. Today, the national organization of NCNW which was founded by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in 1935 connects more than 2,000,000 men and women with enlightenment and inspiration. The National Council of Negro Women Gulfport Section was organized in 1964 by its first president Aurabelle Caggin. Hosting health fairs, feeding the homeless, supporting STEM programs for Coast youth, or organizing and supporting popular festivals is a way that they serve their community. Lula Dedeaux, Gulfport, is the residing President of the Gulfport NCNW, while Victoria Sharpe, Gulfport, resides as its 1^st Vice President.
Also in attendance, helping to bring in the New Year with impactful education to men at the inaugural health fair in January, were other members of the local NCNW, including Gulfport residents Katrice Cook, Edith Hooker, Patricia Rayford, Treasurer; Emily Gaddis, 2^nd Vice President; Janice Merrell, Secretary; Deborah Graham, and Denise Christmas Wallace. The ladies brought a warm welcome for all attendees with their cheerful presence at the event.

Members of the National Council of Negro Women Gulfport Section organized the first ever Men’s Health Fair on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in January. They are (from left) Katrice Cook, 1st Vice President Victoria Sharpe, Edith Hooker, Treasurer Patricia Rayford, President Lula Dedeaux, 2nd Vice President Emily Gaddis, Secretary Janice Merrell, Deborah Graham, and Denise Christmas Wallace.

National Council of Negro Women Gulfport Section member Edith Hooker registers attendees of the Men’s Health Fair inside the Family Life Center of Morning Star Baptist Church in Gulfport.

Featured speaker Dr. Kerry Scott and the National Council of Negro Women Gulfport Section’s Treasurer Patricia Rayford are joined by an enthusiastic group of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority members during the Men’s Health Fair in January.

     According to Dedeaux, the fair came to fruition through the work of members, partners and sponsors.
“We care about the health of our men,” she said. “This was a community effort where COVID-19 Boosters and Flu vaccines were offered, along with other available health resources.
     “As trusted messengers of NCNW and Good Health WINs (Women’s Immunizations Networks) we are leading a campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of immunization as a critical element of good health.”
     Victoria Sharpe, coordinator of the event, said over 107 people, 79 of whom were men, attended the inaugural fair in January.
     “The NCNW Gulfport Section has served this community for 47 years and has been committed to empower, inform, and uplift women, and families in communities of color.
     “As a women’s organization with men associates, we are committed to family and community. It was important to us that we address the overall health needs of males due to the lack of health care and other disparities among African Americans. We also realize by meeting the health needs of males now it would very likely lead to overall improved health outcomes for families, communities, this state, and the country.”

National Council of Negro Women Gulfport Section members, sponsors of the Men’s Health Fair, Deborah Graham, Edith Hooker, 2nd Vice President Emily Gaddis, President Lula Dedeaux, recruit associates for the Men’s Chapter of the local organization during a first of its kind health fair along the Mississippi Gulf Coast tailored for males.

Moss Point Visionary Circle, Inc. (MPVC, Inc.) Director RN Kallie Marshall and Barbara James, both of Moss Point, give free Covid and Flu vaccinations at the Men’s Health Fair I in Gulfport in January.

The second event happening on June 24 is hoped to mimic the first one by helping bring awareness to the importance of men taking care of not only their physical health but their mental health, too. The event offers free health screenings that include prostate screenings, stroke assessment, vision testing, hearing, blood pressure, COPD/asthma, height and weight, body fat analysis, and oral health. Also provided are Covid and Flu vaccines by Moss Point Visionary Circle (MPVC, Inc.), a nonprofit 501c3 based in Moss Point that since 2008 has concentrated on promoting healthcare and wellness. To date, MPVC, Inc. has provided over 3,500 vaccines. RN Kallie Marshall, Moss Point, director of MPVC Inc.’s medical department, said, “The event brings awareness to the community. We need more and more of it. You can’t get enough of it especially for men’s health.”
In addition to the education and information about men’s health at the fair, there will be door prizes given to attendees as well as a free healthy lunch to go. For the attendees who bring their medicines or a list of their medicines, they will receive a special gift of a wallet size card with the transfer of their medication list as well as another gift. PPE including face masks, hand sanitizers, disinfectants, toolboxes, and small hand tools will also be distributed.

Ruth Rucker participated in the Men’s Health Fair as a member of the Education, Economics, Environmental, Climate and Health Organization (EEECHO) which takes a holistic approach to climate health through education, economics, and environmental.

Leanna Saucier, Gulfport, and Dr. Kerry Scott, MBA, FACOFP, CCMS, with Memorial Health System provide health information including blood pressure checks, BMI, weight, and more, during the January Men’s Health Fair at Morning Star Baptist Church in Gulfport.

Edward Goldsmith from Greenville, Ala., (second from left) is joined by Memorial Health System’s Tony Alves, Dr. Kerry Scott, Dr. Thinn Zaw, Dr. Benson Lukose and LeAnna Morgan Saucier at the Men’s Health Fair I held in January to help bring awareness to men’s health in the New Year.

     Morning Star Baptist Church and the NCNW Gulfport Section, along with several other partners of the event, have helped make the event a success. Among the partners is the Omega PSI PHI. Representing the Omega PSI PHI during the Men’s Health Fair I in January was President James Stubbs, Long Beach, and Health Initiative Chairman Edward Goldsmith, Greenville, Ala.
     “This health fair is the first for men on the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Stubbs. “It brings awareness to the community. Men will benefit by having the opportunity to gain knowledge and insight on their health status. The screenings and vaccinations are very helpful to men’s health.”
MSCC/Speech Language Pathologist Toshondra Sharpe and volunteer Taylor Williams, both of Gulfport, provided hearing testing and education on the importance of taking care of your hearing.
     “Hearing screening is very important for our community. It is kind of overlooked. Having community health fairs brings people together to take a look inside themselves,” said Williams.
     Toshondra Sharpe added, “The elderly often are deterred from getting hearing checked because of the hearing aids, but hearing aids have made a ton of gains. They have become so discreet that you can barely notice them. They are small. A lot of people won’t wear them. It is important to be able to hear because it affects driving and communication with family. Hearing is the sense we sometimes forget about, but it is an important factor for our daily living.”
Also attending the event was Willie McQuain, Chairman Trustee of Morning Star Baptist Church, Gulfport, and Chris McQuain, also of Gulfport.
     “The event was outstanding,” said Willie. “Despite the weather, it was a good turnout. It was good for the community and for the church to help. We should have more events like this. They are much needed.”
     Another event attendee, Rickey Lewis, Pass Christian, said, “This is a great event. We need more events like this. There are so many people in our community that don’t have access to the information provided here.
     “This is a great opportunity to come out and visit with healthcare professionals and to access information for self-care. It is very important for males because many don’t go to the doctor to get regular checkups. They find out about health issues later than they should due to not getting checkups. This event being in a community church is good accessibility for comfort and for people to come here.”

Rickey Lewis of Pass Christian attends the Men’s Health Fair to gain insight on health education.

James Stubbs, Long Beach, Annika Allen, Gulfport, and Imogene Stubbs, Long Beach, are happy to attend the National Council of Negro Women Gulfport Section Men’s Health Fair in January. The event offered free health screenings and educational information in support of men’s health.

     The Education, Economics, Environmental, Climate and Health Organization (EEECHO) was also providing information at the Men’s Health Fair in January. The EEECHO is a holistic approach to climate health through education, economics, and environmental. The EEECHO provided a game for health education known as Health Jeopardy to engage with men to learn about being more proactive about their health.
     “It’s a win-win because even if they don’t get the answer to the categories correct and get a prize from it, the games spark conversation, which is the point. And it is an opportunity for them to learn,” said N.P. Ebony Midcalf, Gulfport, who represented EEECHO. “This event brings awareness to the community and increases health literacy which we should all strive to do so that we at least know which questions to ask our healthcare providers. Anytime there is outreach and there is an increase in education that is always a positive.”
     The primary goal of the EEECHO is to fully engage local communities in working in areas of alignment with oversight agencies and decision-makers at all levels and will go the extra mile to amplify the voices of those they serve and use all available resources to ensure their environmental protection.

Gulfport resident Ruth Rucker (second from right) is joined by other members of the Education, Economics, Environmental, Climate and Health Organization (EEECHO) that provided information at the Men’s Health Fair including an exciting game of Health Jeopardy.

Memorial Hospital’s LeAnna Saucier, Dr. Kerry Scott, Myron McCoo, and Tony Alves participate in the inaugural Men’s Health Fair held at Morning Star Baptist Church in Gulfport in January. The fair is the first segment in a two-part event planned to be held annually by the National Council of Negro Women Gulfport Section.

     The Mississippi Partnership For Comprehensive Cancer Control Coastal Region (MP3C) was also helping educate men at the health fair by providing information for men to be more aware of cancer. The MP3C is a government funded organization to help the underprivileged community become more aware of the effects of prostate and colon cancer, and how to prevent them.
     Leanna Saucier, Gulfport, and Dr. Kerry Scott, MBA, FACOFP, CCMS, Memorial Health System, were also at the health fair providing health screenings and helping men understand the importance of taking care of their well-being. They provided blood pressure tests, height and weight, body fat analysis, and more to men during the event. Memorial Health System had their InBody570 machine which measures everything about your body including your BMI, Muscle-Fat Analysis, Obesity Analysis, Segmental Lean Analysis, ECW/TBW Analysis, Body Composition History, and much more that doctors were able to explain. The InBody570 machine printed out a report that was available for the attendees to take with them. Dr. Kerry Scott also spoke on nutrition.
     For additional details about the upcoming Men’s Health Fair II, call 228-234-0221 or 228-669-5025.
For more information about the National Council for Negro Women, visit https://ncnw.org. The group’s Gulfport Section can be found on Facebook at Gulfport Section National Council of Negro Women.

On the cover: Partners of the Men’s Health Fair sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women Gulfport Section are Edward Goldsmith, Greenville, Ala., Omega PSI PHI Health Initiative Chairman, and James Stubbs, Long Beach, Omega PSI PHI President.