RMCHCS Marketing Director Rhonda Ray said the hospital had her on the planning committee for the health fair and was also a sponsor of the event. “The event is called “Fall Into Fitness,” and fitness is mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual; the center core of your body, your mind, your spirit. We’re working with the Rio West Mall, and we’re working locally. We also have the Navajo Nation involved, and businesses from Albuquerque Farmington are in our market, so we all come together. We often can’t get to the hospital, and we have doctors, such as our podiatrist, coming here, and it’s free, or just getting people the information, it’s really to embrace what health and fitness are.” Ray emphasized the impact of information such as stroke awareness, children meeting dentists, and the outreach gained by organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, which is working on rebuilding its services in the Gallup area.
 
“It also helps possibly bringing some new businesses to Gallup on health,” Ray added. “So that’s what we’re looking to, is to grow our community and also teach wellness, people can come and talk, get them the information, and people feel better about it; especially the elders when they get that contact when we’re talking they say, ‘Oh I want to go there.” 
These vendors are really taking their time, taking a lot of pride in their business, and sharing it with people. They’re sharing what’s behind the scenes and the type of services they’re providing. There are connections and trust.”
A highlight of the day was a demonstration of skills by students from the Dylan Vargas Mixed Martial Arts Academy. Vargas said that the academy participates in many Rio West Mall activities.

Vargas was asked about the benefit of the demonstration, he replied, “It shows not only that there’s something offered for the kids to keep them active but it shows the community how involved we are with how important fitness is, how important self-defense is, knowing social awareness for the kids and for the adults as well. And just that promotion because Gallup has been low with the fact that they don’t have a lot to offer for the kids. My main priority when I first opened the school was to make sure that everyone is welcome everywhere to train how to do martial arts, learning how to protect themselves and teaching respect and discipline to the kids, how important it is for them to have respect for themselves, their parents, their teachers and anyone else.” Vargas said the crowd at the demonstration seemed to enjoy the involvement of the kids and that parents learned about what the academy had to offer. Vargas added that he enjoyed watching his students display confidence in front of the crowd.

A good reminder

Parent Eric Vallo got his flu shot and said his son enjoyed the STEM tables. “We forget about our health in this world.” Vallo said, “It goes so fast. Especially when you have kids too, you forget about yourself and this is a good reminder. We’re enjoying our day here.” Vallo said he learned more about men’s health services in Gallup. Lucas Venturina said his family enjoyed the activities. “We like all the activities for the kids because when they’re at home they’re just closed inside the house,” said Venturina. “Here, there are activities where they can explore different things, like science and building blocks.” Valina Chee said her family had fun. “It was a good learning activity for