There are no more excuses for women in Turlock to avoid getting potentially-life-saving health screenings, as EMC Health Foundation is removing barriers to access at the upcoming StrongHER wellness event.

This free event will provide attendees preventative lab tests, health screenings, mammograms, nutrition demonstrations and product giveaways from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 20 at Larsa Banquet Hall in Denair. Along with screenings, the University of Pacific School of Pharmacy will be on hand to offer counseling on prescription medications.

EMC Health program manager Allie Jeffrey said the goal of the event is to reach out to as many women as possible — those without health insurance, those who many have difficulties getting an appointment or just those who aren’t comfortable in traditional medical office settings — and make getting health screenings easier and less stressful.

“Women’s health fairs are usually held in parking lots; it’s not very inviting,” said Jeffrey.

The StrongHER event is aiming to create a welcoming atmosphere where women can feel at ease when learning about their health and getting a screening.

“This is an opportunity to empower women to get past their barrier. It will be a lively, empowering, wonderful event,” said Jeffrey.

Jeffrey is encouraging women of all ages and health circumstances to come out — and bring a friend of two, “get the bridge team together and go get a mammogram.”

Preventative screenings will include services such as: general women’s health exams, mammography exams, blood pressure testing, BMI evaluation, vision screenings, ask a dentist, pharmacist brown bag medication check list, STI testing, drug testing and addiction services, spinal alignment, pregnancy testing and select laboratory tests for diabetes and cholesterol.

This is an inclusive event, and men are welcome also.

“The objective is to use charitable dollars to assist women to get something they need. The nice part is it’s free,” said Jeffrey Lewis, EMC Health Foundation president.

EMC Health Foundation was created to promote and expand care for people living within Emanuel Medical Center’s community, following its sale from the nonprofit Covenant Health to the for-profit Tenet Healthcare Corporation. The foundation has a narrow geographical coverage area – every community south of Modesto in Stanislaus County and eight cities (Atwater, Ballico, Hilmar, Winton, Stevinson, Gustine, Livingston and Delhi) in northern Merced County.

For more information about the StrongHER event, email: allie@emchf.org.