Health Fair Combines Fun and Purpose

More than 1,000 students gathered in the Love Gym complex for this fall’s inaugural Community Health Fair. With raffles, Spikeball and stuffed animals, the event had a decidedly festive feel. But behind the energy was a serious focus: providing critical health screenings and reinforcing the Academy’s culture of wellness.

The most significant initiative was the introduction of noninvasive electrocardiogram, or ECG, screenings for all students. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death on school campuses. Roughly one in 300 young people may have an undiagnosed cardiac anomaly, according to Who We Play For, the national organization specializing in student cardiac testing that performed the Academy’s on-campus screenings.

“This was the first time the Academy has undertaken such a screening,” Exeter’s Medical Director Derek Trapasso says. “We wanted to bring the standard of care found in collegiate and professional athletics into the secondary school setting and do it for all students.”

Students found to have a risk of heart problems were referred for a follow-up with a pediatric cardiologist through the Lamont Health and Wellness Center. “Cardiac health, concussions, heat and hydration are some of the hardest issues to prevent, and they can be catastrophic when they happen,” Exeter’s Director of Athletic Training Adam Hernandez says. “Being able to identify risk is really meaningful and allows us to be proactive.”

Beyond a clinical exercise, the fair was designed to break down barriers and ensure students felt comfortable connecting with health resources on campus. To that end, Counseling and Psychological Services, athletic training, nutrition, Student Council and the Health Center set up stations where students could gather resources, meet the adults behind the Academy wellness programs and build familiarity with the wide range of support that is available.

“It was great to welcome our students back with a smile and a yummy snack,” says Tina Fallon, the Academy’s registered dietitian, who handed out free smoothies at the event. “I want them to be able to approach me without feeling like they are going to get bombarded with nutrition information.”

Trapasso was pleased. “The health fair’s success was truly a result of collaboration,” he says. “It is our hope that this becomes an annual tradition.”

This article was originally published in the fall 2025 edition of The Exeter Bulletin.