Event open to all offers samples, advice for better lifestyles 
By KERRI BARLETT
For Brentwood Home Page
Residents wishing to boost their health I.Q. while enjoying a free massage might be interested in visiting the 5th annual Healthy Living & Lifestyles Expo in Brentwood on Thursday-Friday.

The public is invited to attend the free Healthy Living & Lifestyle Expo on Thursday-Friday. The event is held in conjunction with Saturday's Race for the Cure in Brentwood.

The Expo, hosted by the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber in conjunction with presenting sponsor Vanderbilt University Medical Center, takes place at Brentwood Baptist Church Connection Center, 7777 Concord Rd. Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday and noon- 8 p.m. Friday.

The event is free to public and will provide numerous opportunities to learn about healthy living including free samples and screenings from various vendors. Almost 50 vendors will be in attendance including representatives from hospitals, chiropractors, orthopedic doctors, spas, wellness organizations, health equipment suppliers and even booths addressing pet health.

“One of the most important aspects of this year’s Expo is the availability of numerous free screenings,” said Stephanie Clark, chair of Healthy Living & Lifestyles Expo, and physician liaison at Williamson Medical Center.

“We hope that the entire community comes out to take advantage of these wonderful opportunities and take ownership of their health.”

Thursday is free screening day as well as late registration for Race for the Cure, while Friday is race packet pickup and late registration day.

The Expo serves as the central location for Race for the Cure participants to pick up their race packets. About 5,000 to 6,000 attendees are expected to visit the Expo.

On Thursday, the Saint Thomas Health Mobile Mammography Unit will be on site giving free mammograms for those who qualify. Also, cholesterol screenings for the first 100 participants will be provided as well as blood pressure, glucose, thyroid, BMI and spinal screenings.

Diabetic consultations, computerized nerve assessments, flu shots, and massages will also be available.

On Friday, the sponsors and vendors will also continue a number of screenings and will demonstrate healthy living products and services.

The Healthy Living & Lifestyle Expo takes place Thursday and Friday at Brentwood Baptist Connection Center.

Although the Chamber has hosted the event for five years, this marks the third year in partnering with the Susan G. Komen Foundation in which a portion of the proceeds will go towards the foundation. Last year, $5,000 was donated to the organization.

The mission of the Expo is to educate Williamson County residents on enhancing their health, fitness and quality of life as well as provide an opportunity for health-related industries to showcase their products and services.

“In the past, the Expo has primarily been a meeting place for Komen racers to pick up their race packets and gather information on healthy living,” Clark said. “However this year, the Expo welcomes the public to take advantage of the opportunities offered in order to improve their health.”

In addition to presenting sponsor Vanderbilt University Medical Center, other sponsors include St. Thomas Health, Dignity Memorial, Williamson Medical Center, Concentra and Dr. Kellye N. Rice, DDS.

Among the vendors is Neighbor MD, an urgent care physicians’ office that just opened in Brentwood in August. The clinic, with an atmosphere more like a café or coffee shop, offers a convenient alternative to going to the emergency room for non-life threatening ailments such as broken bones or having to wait too long for an appointment at a primary care doctor’s office.

“We are thrilled to be participating in the Expo and associated with the Komen Foundation, said Barbara Burns, marketing and sales representative with Neighbor M.D. “We are also glad to have the opportunity to introduce our services to the public.”