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Free Flu Shots, Health Screenings at Wellness Expo

Annual health fair for employees Oct. 9, 16 and 23 

 Free vision screenings are one of the many resources available at the annual Wellness Expo. Photo courtesy of LIVE FOR LIFE.
Free vision screenings are one of the many resources available at the annual Wellness Expo. Photo courtesy of LIVE FOR LIFE.

Danielle Lester was collecting sugar-free recipe cards at last year's Wellness Expo when she discovered vision screenings being offered at a nearby booth.

She decided to head over for a free screening, her first eye exam in more than two years. She read aloud the letters on the card and passed the test.

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"I'd been procrastinating about going to the eye doctor, so it was reassuring to discover that my vision hadn't changed," said Lester, 47, a staff specialist in the Duke School of Medicine registrar's office. "And it was so convenient to do it along with everything else at the fair." 

This year, the annual Wellness Expo for staff and faculty is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at three locations - Duke Regional Hospital on Oct. 9, Duke Raleigh Hospital on Oct. 16, and the Searle Center on Duke's West Campus on Oct. 23.  Employees can get a free flu shot, learn more about health resources at Duke, participate in health screenings and discover new ways to incorporate healthy decisions into daily living. 

The 2013 Wellness Expo will center on a series of interactive vignettes that explore the value of simple activities such as eating breakfast, stretching, stress reduction techniques and other daily decisions. 

"We want people to experience what it feels like to be healthy from sunup to sundown, and to realize how small steps can add up to big changes," said Lauren Updyke, health education manager for LIVE FOR LIFE. "We are having lots of laughter planning these activities, and we hope that Duke employees will join in the fun."

During the Expo, there will be free blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, vision and bone density screenings. Employees who bring a valid DukeCard can receive free flu shots to protect themselves and others from influenza. For those who need a bit of relaxation, massage therapists will offer chair massages at no charge. Door prizes will also be available.

At each Expo location, representatives from Duke Human Resources will be available to answer questions about Duke's medical, dental and vision benefits. Open Enrollment for these health benefits begins on Oct. 28. There will also be information about crime prevention, common health issues and other health resources Duke makes available to staff and faculty such as tobacco cessation and exercise programs. 

Lester, the staff specialist, will attend the Expo at the Searle Center this year and looks forward to learning something new. 

"I try to take care of my health, but there's always a new idea or new product to learn about," she said. "And it is a fun way to spend my break time."