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HealthLink programming expands and draws a crowd

SYRACUSE, N.Y.— A serene setting with a lake view just happens to be the perfect setting for dispensing medical advice. HealthLink, Upstate Medical University’s popular free health seminar series, is finding standing room only crowds at its newest location, the Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles.

“We looked at areas of Onondaga County that were underserved when it came to health education programs and found the western portion of the county to be just such an area,” said HealthLink Director Cindy Cary. “The fact that such an iconic location as the Sherwood Inn could accommodate our programming was icing on the cake.”

And the community has responded. “We’ve been at capacity since the sessions began in June, and from the looks of our registration numbers, July and August sessions will be well attended, too,” Cary said.

The Sherwood’s dining area has hosted presentations on skin cancer, held June 14, and varicose veins, held July 9. Other summer sessions are set for July 23 (lower back pain and spinal stenosis), July 30 (shoulder pain), Aug. 6 (exercise and the aging brain) and Aug. 21 (prostate health). Several of these already have waiting lists. Cary said the success of the Sherwood Inn location may help extend programming there through the fall and even into the winter.

The move to Skaneateles is part of a strategy to take Upstate’s health programming on the road. While many HealthLink programs take place at its main location, One Telergy Parkway, 6333 Route 298 in East Syracuse, presentations have been offered at the Liverpool Public Library, the Marcellus Free Library, Onondaga Free Library, the Syracuse Housing Authority and the Dunbar Center in Syracuse.

“Many people are busy juggling work, family schedules and making time for other activities, so if we can accommodate them with our health programming in a location close to home, we’re happy to do that,” Cary said.

Last year HealthLink attracted more than 2,900 people to nearly 100 free programs.

HealthLink’s most popular programming is its free vascular screening that helps detect peripheral artery disease. Almost 200 people showed up for the screening when it was held last month.

HealthLink sessions feature presentations by Upstate clinicians, who are also faculty members at Upstate Medical University. Presentations usually run an hour or longer with plenty of time for questions.

Visit the HealthLink homepage or HealthLink’s Facebook for a full schedule of seminars.

While there is no charge for most seminars, registration is required. To register, call 315-464-8668.

Caption: The Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles is the newest location to offer HealthLink seminars.