STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) will be hosting its 9th annual Staten Island Health & Wellness Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield.
The event helps educate Staten Island residents on how to live healthier lives and gain access to the vast array of health services available to them throughout the borough.
Event coordinators and sponsors held a press conference on Friday at 900 South Avenue to discuss plans for this year's event.
"We're very excited about being a part of this program. It's all about the community, it's all about population health, and doing things we never thought we'd say in the hospital world, keeping patients out of the hospital," said Dan Messina, president and CEO of Richmond University Medical Center.
There will be various free, open seminars including opioid safety training, autism awareness, financial lessons in elder law and more.
In addition to the open seminars, there will be a number of special events, including the Community Health Hero Awards Ceremony, a "Scared Straight" forum and a Winter Wonderland, Staten Island ticket event.
Free health tests and screenings will also be offered, and flu shots will be available. These will be provided courtesy of event sponsors Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health and Richmond University Medical Center, an affiliate of the Mount Sinai Health Network.
"Creating a community of healthy living is really what we're all about," said Donna Proske, executive director of Staten Island University Hospital.
JMT Media will be hosting a media lounge where MakerSpace Radio will interview local small business owners.
This year's Expo will also feature special guest speaker, Theo Rossi, Staten Island actor, producer and philanthropist best known for his role as Juan Carlos "Juice" Ortiz on the critically acclaimed FX drama, "Sons of Anarchy".