FSU Health Expo brings free screenings and community resources to Gadsden County

Quincy, Florida – Free health screenings, research opportunities and information about local services brought Gadsden County residents together Saturday at an FSU Health Expo featuring more than 90 vendors and exhibitors.

Held at the Gadsden County Courthouse in Quincy, the event connected residents with healthcare professionals, university students, researchers and community organizations. FSU Health hosted the expo in partnership with Gadsden County as part of a broader effort to improve access to care and strengthen relationships across the region.

For Dr. Alma Littles, dean of the FSU College of Medicine, the gathering also offered a personal connection. Littles grew up in Gadsden County and spent much of her medical career practicing family medicine there before becoming dean.

Returning for the expo gave her an opportunity to reconnect with former patients and reflect on the difference accessible healthcare can make for families and communities.

“We want to make sure that we’re making a difference,” she said. “That’s why we’re here.”

Participating organizations represented Florida State University, Florida A&M University, healthcare providers, nonprofit agencies, local businesses and other community partners. Their offerings included screenings, educational materials and services intended for residents of all ages.

The expo was part of FSU Discovery Days, the university’s annual celebration of research, creativity and innovation. It brought those themes into a community setting, where residents could speak directly with people providing care, conducting studies and helping connect patients with services.

“Seeing all these amazing people, organizations and community partners come together in one place demonstrates the incredible commitment that exists across our region to improving health and well-being,” said Ursula Weiss, director of FSU Health Community Engagement. “Our goal is not only to connect people with resources today, but also to build lasting relationships that help create healthier communities for years to come.”

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Several mobile health units provided free screenings, including Big Bend Cares, Statlab Mobile, DSR Public Health Foundation, Bethel Missionary Baptist and PanCare Dental. Their participation brought multiple providers and services to the courthouse location.

The FSU College of Communication and Information offered services through its mobile speech and hearing clinic. Students from the FSU College of Nursing also took part, providing blood pressure checks while gaining experience working directly with community members.

“It is great that we are able to provide this for the community,” said nursing student Samantha Stevens. “And this gives us the opportunity to practice our clinical nursing skills, like taking blood pressure and therapeutic communication with patients.”

The nursing students emphasized the value of a screening that takes only a few minutes. Along with providing a reading, the interaction offered an opportunity to discuss why monitoring blood pressure matters.

“There are a multitude of things that could cause high blood pressure, and it can lead to more severe conditions, so it’s important to know your baseline and get it checked periodically,” said nursing student Amaria Brown. “That tells you if your health is going in the right direction and if it’s not, you can start to do something about it.”

Research teams were another part of the event. Visitors could learn about and enroll in studies involving lower back pain, breast cancer recovery and irritable bowel syndrome.

Those studies examine noninvasive interventions aimed at helping patients manage chronic pain and improve their quality of life. The expo gave residents a place to discuss participation and learn about research addressing those concerns.

“The goal of our research is to improve quality of life,” said research coordinator Talia Arocha. “We’re trying to see what we can do to help people feel better.”

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Mental health services were represented as well. At the Apalachee Center booth, program supervisor Selina Agnew spoke about the center’s support for people with mental health needs and the importance of making those services more widely known.

“We take a holistic approach to mental healthcare,” she said. “Events like this are where we can share information about where help is available, whether that’s for general mental health treatment or help with substance abuse. Connecting with therapy or peer support helps get resources to people who wouldn’t necessarily know what we offer.”

That emphasis on connecting residents with available help reflects the role of community partnerships in FSU Health. The initiative brings researchers, educators, students, clinicians and residents together in efforts to improve health and healthcare throughout Florida.

The university’s work also extends beyond individual community events. The College of Medicine follows a community-based approach to medical education that brings clinicians into medically underserved areas around the state.

This year, FSU received more than $19 million through the Rural Health Transformation Program. The program supports efforts to improve healthcare access, quality and outcomes in rural communities.

Local officials described the Quincy expo as a way to put resources and information within reach of residents. With screenings, research enrollment and service providers gathered at one location, the event connected the university’s broader healthcare mission with the people it seeks to serve.

“This event helps make sure our communities and citizens have access to the resources and information that will help them lead healthier lives,” said Quincy Mayor Robin Wood.

“Health is wealth,” said Gadsden County Commissioner Eric Hinson. “To bring in Florida State and the resources that come with the university, that does a lot. Everybody is excited about that.”