With insurance or not, thousands attend health fair

By EMILIE RAGUSO
eraguso@modbee.com

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When 10-year-old Talon Gilbert stepped up for an eye exam, it didn't take long to realize there was a problem.

"The eye chart was just a blur," he said. "I was really surprised. I didn't know I couldn't see that well."

The Modesto youngster, a student at Martone Elementary School, was one of about 800 patients screened Sunday at a health fair hosted by Kaiser Permanente at the Dale Road offices and organized by United Way.

"Neighbors in Health," which organizers say has been around for 12 years, offered free medical services ranging from eye and dental exams to cholesterol and diabetes screenings.

Patients whose exams showed they needed further care received referrals to low-cost health care alternatives and learned about several free health insurance options.

Similar events took place Sunday in Manteca and Stockton. About 5,000 patients received nearly 9,000 services at the three sites, said Mariela De Leon, Kaiser's health and wellness director for the Central Valley.

The health fair was aimed at the uninsured and underinsured, but everyone was welcome.

Talon's family, for example, has insurance. But the health fair made it easy to get the whole family screened, said Talon's dad, Jami Gilbert.

Many of the patients aren't so lucky. Juan Carlos Landeros Arellano, 25, of Mo- desto sat in a waiting room about 3 p.m. He said in Spanish that he has no insurance, and that his mother told him of the free screening.

"It's good," Arellano said. "Many people don't like to go to the doctor. This helps them know about their medical problems."

United Way spokesman Steve Smith said about 1,400 volunteers at the sites ensured that all who came were screened.

Victoria Marin, a Kaiser charge nurse, said she was impressed with the quality and experience of the medical assistant volunteers from Merritt College, many of whom spoke Spanish.

The health fair officially ended at 3 p.m., but at least 20 people still waited to be seen by doctors, all of whom volunteered. Dr. Laura Gabriele said this was her ninth year as a fair volunteer.

"It's the busiest I've ever seen it, I know that," she said. "Some people say they've lost insurance and some never had it. Some haven't been to the doctor in quite a few years. Every patient who comes in, we thank them for waiting. And they thank us just for being here. It's a very appreciative group."

Bee staff writer Emilie Raguso can be reached at eraguso@modbee.com or 578-2235.