The Marion County Health Expo, the first of its kind, will take place on Saturday, September 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Courthouse Square in Jasper. This free community event is designed to provide valuable health resources, education, and engaging activities for all attendees. Hosted by The University of Tennessee’s Community Registered Nurse Navigator (CRNN) program, UT/TSU Extension Marion County, the Tennessee Department of Health, and Marion County Coordinated School Health, the expo aims to empower the community by offering a wide range of health services.
Participants will have access to over 30 vendors offering services such as healthy recipe tastings, pregnancy and early childhood education, CT lung screenings for qualified individuals, vaccine education with onsite vaccinations, mental health screenings, and blood pressure and glucose checks. Visitors can engage in a fun “bingo card” activity, collecting stamps from vendors to enter a prize drawing, and can also enjoy various giveaways.
Vendors attending include Chattanooga Allergy Clinic, A Step Ahead Chattanooga, Cumberland Pediatric Foundation, Centerstone, Health Hero Tennessee, Food City, and Nashville Diaper Connection, among others. Stephanie Walker, RN, BSN, Southeast Community Registered Nurse Navigator for The University of Tennessee’s CRNN program, emphasized the importance of the event, saying, “This expo is a unique opportunity for everyone to access vital health services, from vaccine education and screenings to mental health support, all in one place. We encourage every community member to join us and make strides toward a healthier future together.”
In addition to health services, the event will feature food trucks and live broadcasting by The River 104.9. For more details and updates, including vendor spotlights, visit the “Marion County Community Health Expo” Facebook page.
The University of Tennessee’s CRNN program, which received a $5.5 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Health in January 2022, is dedicated to improving vaccination rates and health education across Tennessee. With 16 nurse navigators working statewide, the program focuses on addressing barriers to routine immunizations, especially in vulnerable and rural communities, by collaborating with local partners to create sustainable interventions tailored to community needs. For more information, visit the CRNN website.
