Joining the Harlem community at the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) and Pharmacy “Fall into Health Fair” Friday was NYS Assembly Member Inez Dickens.
Close to 50 members of the Harlem community attended the two-hour fair at Touro on 125th St. across from the Apollo Theater. They received free flu shots and screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, BMI, vision, hearing, bone density, HIV, and hepatitis B and C. “Touro is doing a good thing in this community,” said Victoria Bah, a nail artist who came to explore becoming a bone marrow donor. Mohammad Akhlaq, who works nearby, was also pleased, “Before, my sugar levels were a little bit high. Now I’ve made sure they’re normal,” he said, looking relieved. Close to 150 student volunteers administered the shots, screenings and provided health counseling. “It’s a great opportunity for students to give back to Harlem and also practice what we’ve been learning,” said second year medical student Okker Verhagen Metman, a co-organizer.