Rural health fair provides services

Dr. Stephen Goldberger, a local ear, nose and throat specialist, administers an ear test on Ashley Rogers at the Deem's Farm Equipment Rural Health Fair on Friday. Several other exams and evaluations were also conducted during the fair, and residents had access to information about a number of common health conditions. Justin Baldwin/Herald

When was your last tetanus shot?

For many who attended the Rural Health Fair portion of John Deere Days, on Friday, at Deem's Farm Equipment of Nevada the answer is -- Friday.

Shane Dahmer, of Deems Farm Equipment, felt that hosting a health fair during their customer appreciation day represented a different way to give back to their customers and something that not very many people think about. "It saves a trip to town," said Dahmer.

Offered at the health fair was a wide variety of health tests with a farm emphasis, including diet recommendations and oral cancer screenings. There was also information presented on the warning signs of stress Dr. Goldberger performed ear exams.

Ashley Rogers, a therapist with Rehab Services, offered posture tests to make sure the spine is straight. She said that a lot of heavy lifting and building of the pectoral muscles can pull the back out of whack.

There were also around 5 or 6 tetanus shots given by Jeanne Baldwin, which is a pretty good day she said. "When you farm you can't be messing round with it (tetanus)."

Stacey Wilson, community educator at the Nevada Regional Medical Center thought that the reception was pretty good and hopes to come back next year. She said, "The turnout was pretty good for the first year."