Sutter’s Mills-Peninsula Medical Center and the Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council recently welcomed residents to their annual Men’s and Women’s Health Fair — an event focused on breaking down barriers to care, increasing health literacy and strengthening community connections.

What began more than 20 years ago as a men’s-only health fair focused on prostate health has evolved into a comprehensive event offering care for everyone.

“Typically, it was a men’s symposium,” said Lisa Tealer, executive director of BACHAC. “But since we’re back at Mills-Peninsula campus in San Mateo and have access to services like mammograms through our long-standing community mammogram program, it made sense to make it a family event where both men and women can get the screenings and education they need.”

This year’s event featured free health screenings for prostate cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis, along with mammograms, HIV and STI testing, and blood pressure checks. Experts from the San Mateo County Health Department, Peninsula Pharmacists Association and Sutter Health hosted booths throughout the day, offering attendees the chance to connect directly with clinicians and community organizations in a welcoming setting.

Educational panels also took center stage. Physicians, including Dr. Dieter Bruno, chief medical executive at Mills-Peninsula, led discussions on topics such as prostate and breast cancer prevention, menopause and diabetes management. The timing of the event, held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and ahead of World Menopause Day on Oct. 18, served as a powerful reminder of the importance of proactive and preventive care for all.

“We wanted to bring our physicians and healthcare professionals to the community in an environment that’s comfortable,” Bruno said. “Sometimes it’s hard for people to access care during the week. This gives them the opportunity to get screened, ask questions and build relationships that support their health long term.”
Tealer said the event’s collaborative approach is what makes it truly special.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for the community,” she said. “By combining resources and information in one place, people can talk to experts, get screened, enjoy food and music, and most importantly, walk away informed and empowered.”

For both organizers, the message was clear: knowledge is the first step toward better health.

“If people leave today with information that helps them make better decisions for themselves and their families, then we’ve done our job” Tealer said.
Bruno added, “This event shows that Sutter Health, BACHAC and our partners care about the community. We’re invested, we’re engaged and we’ll continue showing up year after year to keep building those bridges.”