A booth is pictured at a 2024 Southwestern Independent Living Center event.

Southwestern Independent Living Center and Brocton Central School will partner to bring the eighth annual Family, School, and Community Connections Symposium and Brocton Central School Rural Mobile Medical Unit Health and Wellness Initiative Event on Friday, March 14.

The event will host well-child checks, basic dental exams and cavity checks by doctors from The Chautauqua Center, as well as retina exams by Erie Retina Research, PSA blood tests for men by WNY Urology, veterans’ help through the VET CENTER Mobile Medical Unit, as well as addressing other health care related issues throughout the day. Minor children must be accompanied by a parent or authorized adult.

At this time, there are 78 providers who will be available to assist those who attend the event, representing more than 88 programs available throughout WNY and parts of Pennsylvania.

The Rural Mobile Medical Unit Health and Wellness Initiative event, developed by Judy Wroda of SILC, will host Brooks Memorial Hospital, Westfield Memorial Hospital (AHN/Highmark Health), Oishei Children’s Hospital, UPMC Chautauqua, The Chautauqua Center, the University at Buffalo Primary Care Research Institute, The Resource Center, BOCES Health/Nursing Careers students, and service providers who assist elders, youth and children and adults.

“There truly is something for everyone at this event,” Wroda said. “Oishei will be fitting children and youth with new helmets, CELJ will be visiting with elders regarding new programs they offer to assist with their finances, several Veteran’s agencies will be on hand to assist vets and their families, and many agencies will be on hand to assist schools, youth, families, and communities!”

The speakers for this year’s event are Rodney Buchanan, Westfield Memorial Hospital administrator, Chris Ramnauth of the Veterans Administration, Saraden Randall of the Child Advocacy Program, Mary Dreyer of Upstate Poison Control, and Krist Moscato of Person Centered Services.

There is no charge to attend. The school district will provide a free breakfast to those attending. Food trucks will be on site for lunch and snack purchases. Doors open to the public at 7:30 a.m., with lectures starting at 8:50 a.m., and the day ending no later than 3:30 p.m. The event is held at Brocton Central School, 138 W. Main St., Brocton.

For more information, call Wroda at 716-450-3960 or visit www.silcchq.org/upcoming-events.