The Fall River Government Center Municipal Employee Wellness Program offered employees the chance to check their blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose on May 8, 2009, in the third health check organized in cooperation with the Southcoast Hospital Group Cardiovascular Prevention Program. Southcoast nurse clinician Donna Querim, RN, BS, MS, JD, and dietitian Amanda Szot were on hand in the atrium of Government Center to offer a complete blood profile, including LDL, HDL and total cholesterol, triglycerides and blood glucose levels for Government Center employees. The event was the second time city employees could get the free test since it was offered in February. A similar program was run for the City's firemen in 2008 and one will be run for the Department of Public Works in June. The Employee Wellness Program also runs a Mega Mileage Club that encourages employees to increase their walking and a Weight-Watchers group that meets at the Police Department. For more information about the Municipal Employee Wellness Program and sign-ups at any time, contact Julianne Kelly at 508-324-2405.

(Top row, left) Municipal Employee Wellness Program coordinator Julianne Kelly greets Eugenia Rodrigues of the Community Development office at the Health Check. (Top row, center) Two-year-old Zachary Kern greets Julie Kelly as his nanny, Kerry Lazaro, watches. (Top row, right) Julie hands Liz Camara of the Board of Elections a raffle ticket for participating in the event. (Middle row, left and right) Kerry Lazaro has her blood chemistry analyzed by Southcoast Hospital dietitian Amanda Szot while Zachery watches. (Bottom row, left and right) John Friar of the Fall River Water Department and Larry Fonseca of Community Development help themselves to hats and tee shirts for participating. (Bottom row, center) Southcoast nurse clinician Donna Querim draws blood from one of the Government Center employees.