UAMS-sponsored Midsouth Summit Black Expo Feb. 25 Celebrates Black History Month with Health Screenings and More

By todd

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LITTLE ROCK — The Midsouth Summit Black Expo, presented by the Arkansas Cancer Research Center (ACRC) Cancer Control Department at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), will celebrate Black History Month with health screenings, entertainment, contests and more from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Clear Channel Metroplex Event Center.


 


“Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the black community,” said Ronda Henry-Tillman, M.D., associate professor of surgery in the UAMS College of Medicine and director of the ACRC Cancer Control Department. “We hope to use the fun, relaxed atmosphere of this event to educate the public about how to reduce their cancer risk and live long, healthy lives.”


 


Mammograms will be available to women age 40 and older who have insurance or qualify through the BreastCare program. Preregistration is required by calling (800) 275-1183. Prostate cancer screenings for men age 40 and older will be offered in collaboration with the Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation. Preregistration for prostate cancer screenings is requested but not required by calling (800) 338-1383.


 


Health-related presentations will offer information on breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. Information on tobacco cessation will be provided by the UAMS SOS Quitline and Arkansans for a Drug Free Youth’s YES (Youth Extinguishing Smoking) Team.


 


Admission and parking are free. Highlights include:


 



  • A Natural Beauty Contest, the winner of which will participate in the Hype Hair Natural Beauty Contest in New York
  • High school jazz band competition, with cash awards for the three winning schools’ music departments
  • Couture fashion show
  • Philander Smith College Renaissance poetry contest winners and Voices of Praise
  • Presentation by Senior Master Anderson of Anderson Taekwondo on the history of taekwondo
  • Panel discussions on “How to Break into the Gospel Recording Business” and “How to Break into the Hip Hop Industry”
  • “Father of the Year” essay contest, with the winner receiving a $1,000 cash prize
  • Gospel choirs, praise dancers, steppers and hip hop musicians
  • About 100 booths offering information on health care, job opportunities, finances, education and more

Sponsors for the event include the UAMS Arkansas Cancer Research Center Cancer Control Department, Pulaski Technical College, Landers Auto Sales, Arora, McDonald’s, Wal-Mart and St. Mark Baptist Church.


 


UAMS is the state’s only comprehensive academic health center, with five colleges, a graduate school, a medical center, five centers of excellence and a statewide network of regional centers. UAMS has about 2,320 students and 690 medical residents. It is one of the state’s largest public employers with almost 9,000 employees, including nearly 1,000 physicians who provide medical care to patients at UAMS, Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the VA Medical Center. UAMS and its affiliates have an economic impact in Arkansas of $4.3 billion a year.