The University of North Georgia (UNG) will host its third annual free Family Health Fair from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26 in the Hugh Mills Physical Education Complex at UNG's Gainesville Campus.

Maria Jose Maguire, a lecturer of Spanish, and Dr. Brian Maloney, an assistant professor of physical therapy, are organizing students from the Department of Modern Languages and the College of Health Sciences and Professions to assist with the event that brings together nonprofits and other community health groups to connect people with nearby services.

"The Family Health Fair is free and open to everyone in the community. It's designed to support well-being by connecting families with the local community through health resources, activities and services," Maguire said. "It's an opportunity for students to positively impact the local community and work alongside peers from other disciplines in a real-world setting."

Maloney is grateful for the role UNG can play by hosting this event.

"Every year, the fair seems to grow a little bit more in the UNG community and externally," Maloney said. "It's really a start to identify where people can go and get them rolling toward wellness."

Some of the highlights of the event are screenings for balance, blood pressure, child development, diabetes, fitness, mental health, and vision. Mindfulness meditation will also be offered. Screenings do not replace a full medical examination.

Students in the Department of Modern Languages will provide translation services as needed to assist attendees of the fair.

Lily O'Clery, a Doctor of Physical Therapy student, already earned a bachelor's degree in modern languages with a Chinese language and literature concentration in 2018 from UNG and previously spent a year abroad on a Fulbright scholarship. This will be her second year helping with the health fair.

"Last year, it was really amazing to see people from different departments and organizations helping out," O'Clery said. "We want to help people know what health resources are available in the community."

Itzel Moreno '24, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Spanish language and literature and a Spanish translation certificate at UNG, assisted with the fair last year. As a nursing student, she helped with manual blood pressure checks and sugar checks.

"People were very open to allowing us to help them and provide some health education," Moreno said. "It's very important. The fair allows a person to come in and express their needs. They are quick screenings, which is helpful because people are busy with their jobs and families. It is a great place to visit to focus on wellness."

She also appreciated that students studying Spanish were able to assist with translation.

"It offers students the chance to practice what they're learning at the university," Moreno said.