Visit HCMC at the Fair for hands-on health activities, eye-opening research

Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), Minnesota’s first Level I Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center is at the Minnesota State Fair during the best days of summer with hands-on health activities in the Health Fair 11 Building, located at the corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cooper Street.

The fun begins on the first day of the Fair when kids are invited to try hands-on medical play activities including finger casting, play stitching, ultrasounds and more. Daily attractions include Bernie the Rescue Dog, HCMC’s mascot, who will be at the booth from 10am to 2pm as well as MVNA nurses who will offer flu shots and free blood pressure checks.

One of the unique daily features taking place at HCMC’s booth is the opportunity to participate in the Minnesota Healthy Brain Initiative research study. Participants complete a questionnaire, then watch a music video while their eyes movements are watched and measured using a tracking camera.

“Data have shown a connection between brain injury and abnormal eye movements,” explains neurosurgeon Uzma Samadani, M.D., Ph.D., the Rockswold Kaplan Endowed Chair for TBI Research at HCMC, who is also an associate professor at the University of Minnesota. “We’re so excited to have Fairgoers help with this research that will eventually be used to develop life-changing diagnostic and treatment methods.”

Dr. David Hilden, host of the Healthy Matters radio program heard every Sunday morning
on WCCO Radio will answer health questions from a live audience at the WCCO Radio booth on August 28 and September 4 from 7:30 to 8:30am. On August 28, Dr. Samadani will join Dr. Hilden on his show to briefly discuss the eye-tracking research.

For a full list of the exciting activities HCMC is offering at the 2016 Minnesota State Fair, go to hcmc.org/statefair.