It was a madhouse at the inaugural DPEC Diabetes & Wellness Health Fair in the lobby of the Abrams Public Health Center, 3950 S. Country Club Road, adjacent to Banner – University Medical Center South on Wednesday, July 20.
And we mean that in a good way.
The turnout was robust and more than expected, said Rosi Vogel, Banner – UMC diabetes program coordinator, who coordinated the event. She said a preview spot July 15 on KGUN 9’s Morning Blend TV program (click to view) on the health fair may have had something to do with that. The interview included Vogel and Merry Pendergrass, MD, a UA professor of medicine in the UA Division of Endocrinology and director of the Adult Diabetes Program.
For more photos from the event, click here: 
DPEC Diabetes & Wellness Fair photo gallery [PDF]
The fair, held in partnership with the YMCA of Southern Arizona and the American Diabetes Association, featured a variety of healthful food and cooking demonstrations, vendors, workplace workouts, opportunities to consult with dietitians and tours of the Diabetes Prevention and Education Center. The YMCA offered $10 A1C tests, a blood test that provides information about a person's average levels of blood glucose over the past three months. A nurse with Interfaith Community Services of Tucson also provided blood pressure checks.
Vendors—including Alfonso Gourmet Olive Oil & Balsamics, Beyond Bread, Bird's Nest Baking Company, Fox Restaurant Concepts (Blanco Tacos+Tequila, North Italia, Wildflower, Zinburger), Kinnikinnick Foods, Natural Grocers, and Trattoria Pina Cucina Italiana—distributed free samples, wellness information and raffle prizes.
Banner – UMC dietitian Ashley Munro, RD, and her UA Nutritional Sciences crew presented a number of “Cooking with Balance” recipe options for healthier living, including tasty treats to enjoy like a small ball made of cocoa, honey, peanut butter and oats.
The Diabetes Prevention and Education Center provides free diabetes self-management education for people with Type I, Type II, gestational and pre-diabetes. Topics focus on nutrition, wellness, fitness, medication/insulin management, weight loss, support and healthy lifestyles.
The center provides educational sessions in English and Spanish. Patients can self-register or be referred by their primary care provider or specialist.
The diabetes and wellness fair is sponsored by Banner – UMC and the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism within the UA Department of Medicine.
Questions: tucsondiabetes@bannerhealth.com