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Boomer Expo brings crowd to Marion mall

By Becky Malkovich, The Southern

Saturday, February 16, 2008 9:28 AM CST

MARION - Hundreds of Southern Illinoisans took advantage of the break in winter weather Friday to attend the Boomer Lifestyle Expo at Illinois Centre mall.

While there, they also took advantage of the free health screenings, free gifts and exhibits that lined the hallways of the Marion mall.

"I come every year," Jim Clark of Creal Springs said. "I like to see what's new, and I get to pick up lots of free stuff."

Attendees filled their arms with yardsticks, stress balls, magnets, hand fans, informational packets and samples as they made their way from booth to booth and store to store.

Many stopped and watched as heart surgeon Paula Guinnip of Heartland Regional Medical Center demonstrated open heart surgery on a heart model.

Guinnip said the event provides her with the opportunity to interact with people in the region.

"I'm surprised at how many people I still don't know after coming here three years in a row," she said, laughing. "But I am starting to recognize the 'regulars,' and I've seen 10 to 15 patients of mine. I love coming here, because I get to interact with people in the community."

Staci Bynum, Heartland's marketing director, said the expo also gives people the opportunity to meet the center's medical staff.

"It can be scary just to pick a doctor off an insurance list or out of the phone book.," Bynum said. "Events like this allow people to put a face to the name they see on the list. People can talk to our doctors and get to know them."

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