What's happening this Friday in Cambrian Mall

NEWS RELEASE

********************* New Health Promotion Centre officially opens Friday Monday, October 3rd, 2005 - On Friday, October 7, David Orazietti, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie and Dr. Sheela Basrur, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health and Assistant Deputy Minister of Public Health will officially open the Algoma Health Unit (AHU) and Group Health Centre's (GHC) new Health Promotion Centre.

Dr. Basrur and David Orazietti will be part of a ribbon-cutting ceremony as the AHU/GHA Health Promotion Centre opens its doors at 11:30 a.m. at their new Cambrian Mall store-front centre, located in the south end of mall (adjacent to Canadian Tire.)

The Health Promotion Centre will promote healthy living and provide a proactive approach to wellness.

The new centre is a collaborative effort of the GHC - considered a model in primary care excellence and the AHU - the local and district public health unit.

"This Centre highlights the opportunity for integration between primary care and public health promotion," said Dr. Allan Northan, Algoma's Medical Officer of Health.

Teresa D'Angelo, Group Health Association's interim Chief Operating Officer said: "We look forward to this new venture with the AHU and to carrying on our tradition of promoting healthy living - an integral part of GHC’s mandate for decades."

The Health Promotion Centre will initially be the location for the GHC/AHU's 2005-2006 Annual Flu Clinic and will expand to provide other services starting in the new year.

The GHC/AHU Flu Clinic is available exclusively for seniors and other high risk individuals starting the week of October 11, followed by the general public who can get a flu shot starting in November to January 2006.

The dedicated appointment line provided by GHC for flu booking flu shots remains 541-2332.

Since 2003, one central flu clinic has been previously offered at storefront location in the north end of the Cambrian Mall.

Also, as part of her visit to Sault Ste. Marie, Dr. Basrur is touring GHC and AHU facilities.

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