(New Orleans, LA) – Xavier University of Louisiana is partnering with the National Minority Quality Forum to host the New Orleans Community Health & Wellness Festival on Sunday, March 6. Festival activities include free health screenings and COVID vaccinations, as well as a complimentary lunch buffet and fun activities for participants of all ages. 

The festival is located at Family Center of Hope from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. U.S. Representative Troy Carter (LA-02) will serve as Honorary Co-Host, and Aeneas Williams, Pro Football Hall of Famer and a New Orleans native, will be a special guest.  

The last few years have been a reminder of how vital health equity is for the community,” said Dr. Reynold Verret, President of Xavier University of Louisiana. “At Xavier, we are known for producing more Black doctors than any other university in the nation, and so we are honored to be involved as a partner in making the Health & Wellness Festival a reality and improving equitable access to health screenings and COVID-19 protections.  

“We’re excited to host the New Orleans Community Health & Wellness Festival, and we hope members of the community join us for this occasion,” said Dr. Gary Puckrein, President and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum. “The festival will be a fun and inclusive way to reduce health risks and advocate optimal care.” 

“The Health & Wellness Festival delivers on our belief that everyone deserves access to quality, accessible health care,” said Dr. Dana Lawson, Vice President of Population Health and Clinical Operations at Louisiana Healthcare Connections. “We’re looking forward to spending the day with our friends and neighbors to promote healthy living.”   

“Our health centers are committed to the well-being of Greater New Orleans,” said Michael Griffin, President and CEO at DePaul Community Health Centers. “We hope our fellow neighbors will join us at the Health & Wellness Festival to engage with the community, reinforce healthy habits, and join in the fun.” 

The New Orleans Community Health and Wellness Festival is made possible with the generous support of our partners – Louisiana Healthcare Connections, DePaul Community Health Centers, Xavier University of Louisiana, Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries, Philips, and Amazon.    

Family Center of Hope is located at 4137 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA. Free health services that will be offered include COVID-19 vaccinations, men’s health, behavioral health, oral health, and vision screenings. Free $50 gift cards compliments of Bring Back Louisiana are available for receiving a COVID vaccine. 

 

About Xavier University of Louisiana 

Xavier University of Louisiana, America’s only historically Black and Catholic University, is ranked among the top three HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) in the nation. Recognized as a national leader in STEM and health sciences, Xavier produces more African American students who graduate from medical schools each year than any other university in the United States. Additionally, Xavier’s College of Pharmacy is also among the top producers of African American pharmacists in the country. 

Established in 1925, by Saint Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament as a place for African American and Native Americans to receive a quality education, Xavier has since expanded its programs in art, business, education, biological sciences, chemistry, pharmacy, and political science. More recent additions in robotics, bioinformatics, engineering, data science, neuroscience, and genetics, in addition to new STEM-based master’s programs, have provided Xavier students (2815 undergraduates and 787 graduates) an unbeatable combination of traditional classroom study, hands-on research, service-learning opportunities, and life experiences. Xavier students collaborate with world-renowned faculty, who are experts in their fields, to produce award-winning research and notable work. The winning Xavier formula is to provide students with a well-balanced curriculum and an environment that nurtures their intellect and feeds their souls, thereby facilitating a more just and humane society for all. For more information about Xavier University of Louisiana, visit us online at www.xula.edu or contact Chelsea Cunningham at (504) 520-5425 or ccunnin@xula.edu.