Rex Lumber employees were ushered through the annual health fair Friday in the company’s main office.

About 145 workers were given flu shots, blood pressure and glucose tests and BMI checks. They learned about signing up with the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency and set up dental and wellness appointments – all for free.

Rex Lumber general manager Doug Boykin said this is their fourth health fair, and the concept for the event started in their home office in Florida.

“A lot of these men don’t have physicians, and even if they do, a lot don’t go to doctors regularly,” said Boykin. “This gives the opportunity to get the essential things done that might save a life.”

The fair was set up with Kings Daughters Medical Center and Wellness Works, an organization that is contracted through KDMC. The company works to facilitate the connection between industries and healthcare providers.

Brittany Nichols, health consultant at Wellness Work said Wellness Works helps with anything and everything healthcare related for Rex employees. Nicholas and the other Wellness Works representatives spend a lot of time on site to make sure Rex employees are taken care of health wise.

“They know them by name,” said Tom Myers with Rex Lumber. “It is hard to get that type of relationship between industrial employees and healthcare providers. It is a privilege to be aligned with partners that carry our same core values. We have something great in Brookhaven. This has been a great success this year. It has been by far the most successful year.”

Representatives from Cintas were also present at the event. They provide the uniforms and safety equipment for Rex Lumber employees. Workers were able to speak with them directly about their needs, could buy equipment and talk about gear. Cintas even set up a boot truck, so employees could get boots on site.

“Our partnership with Rex is part of the reason for our success in our area,” said Del Watters, general manager of Cintas.

Employees were also able to speak with officials about their health insurance coverage and set up any appointments during the health fair.

“The most important thing is getting people established with a doctor, so they will not be going to the ER. They are setting up resources,” Reanna Hipps, assistant vice president of employee benefits, said. “First health fair, there were five guys who had extreme blood pressure, and there have been few each year. Think of the lives that have been saved. Not many employers do this. It’s generous and kind. A lot of good comes out of it.”

Hipps added REX has also met every standard in health insurance coverage and even offers a base plan that is 100 percent paid by the employer for all the full-time employees, which is not usual.

KDMC was a huge part of the program. They gave the flu shots, ran tests and had clinic representatives present, so they could establish a relationship with the workers.

” That is our commitment to the community, not just industries,” KDMC Chief Operating Officer Tom Hood said about KDMC’s relationship with Rex. “I appreciate the folks at REX lumber and what they do for the community.”

He added having these fairs allows them to be more proactive in healthcare instead of only reactive.

“We only had one critical this year, and we were able to set him up with a doctor in minutes. In less than two hours, they identified the high blood pressure, saw a physician, received treatment and was able to get back to lunch. Having them really helped,” said Myers.

The fair was capped off by a catfish dinner provided by Duck Lubricants and awards given in appreciation to KDMC and Wellness Works. They also drew names for prizes from Rex, Cintas and Motion Industries.