Over 100 South Coast businesses exhibited at the South Coast Business Expo, sponsored by both the Fall River and New Bedford Chambers of Commerce, on October 20, 2010 at White's of Westport. Among the exhibits, Southcoast Hospitals held an exhibit that featured a large display of Adult Routine Preventive Care Recommendations to remind people of the importance of getting screened for various forms of cancer, hypertension, BMI, cholesterol and diabetes. Rates of these diseases is higher among residents of the South Coast than it is statewide. Also included in the exhibit was information on the Southcoast Worksite Health and Wellness Collaborative that works with employers to provide wellness and prevention activities and policies for employers. Other exhibitors included the YMCA Southcoast, who with Southcoast Hospitals, coordinate the VOICES for a Healthy SouthCoast effort, and the Southcoast Human Resources Council. The Council, which brings human resource staff from South Coast employers together, held a luncheon during the Expo. For more information about Southcoast Hospital prevention efforts, contact Kerry Mello. Click here for the Herald News article. To learn more about VOICES, contact YMCA Southcoast Vice-President of Operations Nancy Bonell. To learn more about the Collaborative, contact Julie Jennings at Sylvia Group of Insurance Companies at 508.742.9234.

(Top row, left) Finance manager Marilyn Almeida of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce greets participants at the registration desk. (Top row, center and right) Information is available about the Southcoast Worksite Health and Wellness Collaborative and about routine preventive care recommendations at the Southcoast Hospitals exhibit. (Middle row) Kayla Mendez and Katherine Romerez of New Bedford High School sign up for information with Kathleen Nelson, ergonomics physical therapist at Southcoast Hospitals. (Bottom row, left) YMCA Associate Executive Director Tara Pacheco talks with a gentleman at the Y exhibit. (Bottom row, center and right) Michelle Cabral, president of the Southcoast Human Resources Council welcomes members to their luncheon.