Final preparations are underway for the third-annual Central Kansas Health and Wellness Expo, hosted by the Great Bend Tribune. It takes place this Saturday, Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Great Bend Events Center.

Admission is free to the public, thanks to the financial support of vendors. The event will be open to the entire family.

As in past years, the hope is to put additional focus on the importance of physical, mental and emotional wellness, all of which have been impacted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the Expo, attendees will be able to learn about opportunities in the community to improve their physical and mental health, improve their living space, and improve their financial well-being.

“In essence, it is an event to make your life easier and more fulfilling,” Tribune Publisher Mary Hoisington said. 

Though it may look somewhat different this year, holding the event is important to help put a spotlight on the many aspects of health and wellness in the community.

Hoisington noted in the past year, Barton County ranked 83rd out of 105 Kansas counties in the Kansas Health Institute’s Health behavior rankings, so helping promote healthy habits and lifestyles in the community is crucial.

And though the spotlight has been squarely on physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic, wellness is about more than just physical health.

“There are many aspects to health and wellness, ranging from mind and body to finances and fitness,” Hoisington said. “We want to give people the tools they need to meet their goals.”

Too often, though, she said, the daily grind can put health and wellness on the back burner for many.

“Life can get in the way of taking care of yourself,” she said. “There is always one more load of laundry to do or one more bill to pay. It is easy to get so busy getting life done that we forget to take time to live.”

What to expect at the Expo

More than 20 vendors at this year’s Expo will address wide-ranging aspects of physical, mental, household and financial wellness for attendees of all ages and backgrounds.

The Expo will once again feature speakers addressing important topics of mental, physical and financial wellness.

In preparation for tax season, Barry Bowers from Spectrum CPA Partners LLC will discuss tax changes for the 2020 tax year, as well as hosting a question-and-answer session on the topic.

Julie Kramp from The Center for Counseling and Consultation is scheduled to discuss the #ZeroReasonsWhy community impact campaign to prevent teen suicide.

University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus will have three speakers discussing a variety of topics. Physical therapist Melanie Schroeter will discuss how stress and pain are related; Megan Donecker, director of the Sleep Lab at the UKHS Pawnee Valley Campus in Larned, will speak on the impact of sleep on overall health, as well as diagnostics and treatments for sleep issues; and Gina Westoff, PA, will be speaking regarding mammograms.

Besides having booths and speakers with information for men and women, the Expo also offers activities for kids, such as the Teddy Bear Clinic presented by the Barton Community College Nursing program. Coffee will also be provided again this year by Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau and refreshments are available for purchase from Great Bend Coffee.

The Tribune’s focus, Hoisington said, remains the health and safety of the community, so all necessary precautions will be taken so the event can be held safely with that commitment in mind. The Expo will be adhering to a Barton County mandate requiring face coverings for attendees. Those who are sick are asked not to attend the event.