Missouri Ozarks Community Health Connects Community to Resources with MOCH 5K and Health Fair
AVA, Mo. (October 13, 2024) – Missouri Ozarks Community Health held its MOCH 5K and Health Fair on October 12 at the MOCH Wellness Center in Ava. The event provided free health screenings and allowed attendees to engage in physical activity and learn healthy behaviors.
The MU School of Medicine was just one of many vendors at this year’s health fair. The university brought an inflatable colon that helps to visualize colon health issues. The school also brought its clinical simulation bus to the event. The bus helps medical students practice their skills, but staff say it helps the community to view the bus as well. “You get some insight into how your medical providers are trained,” said Riley Witte, outreach education coordinator for the Shelden Clinical Simulation Center. “But we also do basic skills, choking relief, tourniquets and basic bleeding control.”
Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase was also at this year’s event, providing free child ID kits to parents. “No parent wants to think about it, but if your child were to go missing, you’ll also have their fingerprints on there, you’ll always have their DNA,” said Degase. More than a dozen other vendors were at the event, showcasing community resources like pet therapy, educational programs and health initiatives. Lots of fun activities were also provided for children, including a smoothie bike, bounce house, face painting and balloon artist.

Missouri Ozarks Community Health would like to thank the vendors and other groups that participated in this year’s health fair, including:
- Ava R-I Care to Learn
- Hospice of the Ozarks
- FosterAdoptConnect
- Ava Head Start
- Parents as Teachers Ava R-I Elementary
- State of Missouri-Children’s Division
- Healthy Blue
- Compassus Hospice & Palliative Care
- Drury University
- Firefly Supported Living and Employment Services
- Care Center Ministries Missouri
- Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
- Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare
- Ava Place Residential Facility
- Haven Healthcare
- MU School of Medicine
This was also the 11th year for the MOCH 5K. Money raised from registrations for the race goes to support the MOCH Dental Bus. “That is basically to cover the cost for kids who can’t afford the care, or don’t have insurance, or we can’t get their insurance on file” said Randall Gann, CEO of Missouri Ozarks.
This was the first year a woman won the MOCH 5K. Asher Henry placed first with a time of 21:04. Among the other winners for this year’s 5K were:
- Male Open Winner: Kash Hurt (22:52)
- Female Masters Winner: Jean Ann Reed (31:43)
- Male Masters Winner: Race Reed (25:26)