Vienna church and Academy Host Health Fair

Story by Michele Joseph, photos by Elisabeth Zeller

The doctor is in.

In November, doctors, nurses and representatives from the biggest health care organizations in the northern Virginia joined forces for the Vienna Health Fair hosted by Potomac Conference's Vienna church  and Vienna Adventist Academy in Virginia.

Sabbath school classrooms became clinics and the gymnasium transformed into a diagnostic center and medical information hub. Visitors and members received eye exams, blood pressure checks, flu vaccinations and physician consultations and dental screenings all for free.

“This is the correct role of the Christian Church to be a light in the community, to care about people who are struggling or less fortunate, and to be a part of the healing process, not the tearing down process,” said Vinnie MacIsaac, senior pastor of the church. “So, I want to say I am proud of my church and I'm proud of the partnerships because churches can't do it alone.”

Several organizations from INOVA, the largest healthcare system in Northern Virginia, along with Walgreens, the Fairfax County Health Department, Fairfax County Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response, doctors, dentists, mental health workers and more participated in the fair.

Visitors discovered they could be eligible for free health care or found organizations who tailored their prices to fit limited incomes. From free hepatitis screenings, HIV testing, oral cancer screenings to referrals for mammograms, physical therapy and mental health checks, the goal was to find ways to provide health care for the whole person.  

The Vienna Health Fair is the vision of Marvin Quintero, an elder at the Vienna church. The recent event marked the 17th fair he’s organized since he began in 1997. In that time, he’s found a plethora of agency partners who offer a wide range of services from health care and organ donation to domestic violence and drug addiction. 

The church’s members run registration as community members come for services, act as guides to help people access as many service options as possible and translate for doctors and their patients to make sure the information is conveyed accurately.

Some might think Vienna is an odd location to offer free health services, as it rests in one of the wealthiest counties in Virginia. However, community leaders understand the true importance of having the health fair. 

“One of our challenges in Fairfax [County] is our affluence and the wealth that is here can sometimes hide the fact that there are tens of thousands of our neighbors struggling to get by,” said U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw, VA 11th District. “In fact, in the 11th district that I represent, we still have 9% of our community who does not have health insurance. Nine percent of folks who, if they get hurt or get sick, don't know how they'll pay that medical bill. So, your efforts here today and outreaching and engaging with them and providing opportunities for them are critically, critically important.”