The annual SAG-AFTRA New York Health Care Safety Net Committee Health Fair was back in action at the New York office on Sept. 23. The event, returning for the first time in five years, provided members with the opportunity to receive a number of free health services on site.
As in previous years, a combination of both physical and mental health services and lectures were available. As members filed in, they were welcomed by the wide selection of health care professionals specializing in both Western and Eastern medicine practices, including free flu shots provided by the Entertainment Community Fund’s Samuel J. Friedman Health Center; blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings from Mount Sinai; oral health screenings from NYU College of Dentistry; HIV testing from Ryan/Chelsea Clinton Community Health Center; Reiki sessions with N.Y. Reiki Center; gait analysis with the Harkness Center for Dance Injury; stretching sessions from Stretch Labs; and acupressure Ear Seeds with Mel Fais.
Presentations offered were:
- Meditation for Performers: Dissolve Mental Blocks to Access Creativity led by contemplative instructor John Dileva Halpern.
- Mental Wellness for Actors: Assess, Adapt and Inform Your Art, moderated by SAG-AFTRA N.Y. Health Care Safety Net Committee Health Fair Co-Chair Carol Monda. SAG-AFTRA New York Health Care Safety Net Committee members Ed Heavey, Chair Cathy Lilly and Dr. Joseph Marcel DeMertine shared experiences based on their areas of expertise, including cinema therapy, yoga, and wellness.
- Every Artist Insured, led by Entertainment Community Fund Associate Director of Health Services Jim Bracchita.
Members who had attended previous health fairs mixed and mingled with members who were experiencing this event for the first time. All were excited to be back together, sharing a common interest, staying healthy in both body and mind.
“Kudos to all of our extraordinary volunteers: medical professionals, holistic service providers and our New York Health Care Safety Net Committee,” said event Co-Chairs Cathy Lilly and Carol Monda. “The success of this volunteer-driven health fair reestablishes SAG-AFTRA New York’s annual commitment to directly giving free flu shots, wellness services and healthful food to our members.”
Top photo: SAG-AFTRA members receive free health screenings at the SAG-AFTRA N.Y. Health Care Safety Net Committee Health Fair.
SAG-AFTRA New York Local President Ezra Knight, New York Local Health Care Safety Net Committee Chair Cathy Lilly, and Committee member J.R. Carter.
From left, SAG-AFTRA New York Health Care Safety Net Committee members Rachel Lynn Jackson, Salwa Khan, Carrie Gibson, volunteer Tania Villanueva, Committee member Cherokee Black, Committee Chair Cathy Lilly, and Committee Members Billy Peck, J.R. Carter, and Marcel Demertine.
SAG-AFTRA members take advantage of the various services available at the health fair.
Representatives from the NYC College of Dentistry provided free oral health screenings.
The Harkness Center for Dance Injuries provided alignment and gait evaluations.
The Entertainment Community Fund Samuel J. Friedman Health Center provided free flu shots for SAG-AFTRA members.
N.Y. Reiki Center provided free reiki sessions.
Contemplative Instructor John Dileva Halpern leads the 'Meditation for Performers: Dissolve Mental Blocks to Access Creativity' seminar.
From left, SAG-AFTRA New York Health Care Safety Net Committee Health Fair Co-Chair Carol Monda, Committee Chair Cathy Lilly, and Committee members Marcel Demertine and Ed Heavey spoke about wellness at the 'Mental Wellness for Actors: Assess, Adapt, and Inform Your Art' panel conversation.
Entertainment Community Fund Associate Director of Health Services Jim Bracchita led the 'Every Artist Insured' seminar.
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