Health advocates are encouraging Wayne County men to be above-average in prioritizing their wellness.
Reid Community Health and Engagement hosted a free, two-hour event dedicated to the topic June 11. Attendees enjoyed Reid and community vendors, a guest speaker and panelists in Reid Health’s Lingle Hall and Auditorium in Richmond.
Centerville’s David Allen joked one arm was longer than the other, insinuating his wife, Alisa, dragged him to the event.
“I want to see if they surprise me,” said Allen. He admitted he appreciates Reid being a leader in community education in the county.
Connersville’s Fred Lucas figured it would be worthwhile. He and his wife are patients of urology specialist Aaron Johnson, the evening’s guest speaker.
Johnson highlighted how on average, men don’t take good care of their health, with only 62% having seen a healthcare provider in the past six months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Through humor, he encouraged men to be proactive in their healthcare, citing four main concerns: prostate cancer, BPH or enlarged prostate, low testosterone and erectile dysfunction.
“Don’t be the average man. Get on board and get the knowledge,” Johnson said.
Andrew Hoover, Reid’s tobacco control coordinator, moderated five male panelists who shared their personal health journeys.
Mark Broeker touched on how a personal family tragedy challenged his mental health and faith. “You have to raise your hand,” said Broeker, encouraging men to be vulnerable and seek help.
Doug Macias said he avoided help for his substance abuse disorder, until he realized his life was “out of control.” A decade later, he’s sober and helps others attain the same gift.
With hypertension in his family, Arcanum’s Larry Harter was diagnosed with AFib at age 25. Today in his 70s, he says he’s thankful to be married, childless and still working an 18-acre farm. He owes it to his 21-year friendship with Reid cardiologist Henry Chong.
“Different DNA gives you different problems. You either take care of them or they’ll take care of you,” said Harter.
Auntonio Brown was in college when a health scare and rare diagnosis forced him on bed rest for two years. Today, he’s pivoted to a healthier lifestyle to monitor his chronic disorder and, he said, to live for his fiancée and son.
Connersville’s Jeremy Duncan delayed seeing a doctor despite ongoing urinary flow issues. At 47, a prostate screening with Dr. Johnson discovered stage 3C prostate cancer, an aggressive form common in 60-year-olds. Despite it all, Duncan said “perspective matters” and he still has so much to be thankful for.
All of the panelists echoed that for men to be their family’s providers and caretakers, they have to first take care of themselves.
Featured vendors included the Wayne County Health Department, Centerstone, SHIP Insurance and several Reid practices and programs, including an inflatable colon from Reid Gastroenterology.
A version of this article will appear in the June 17 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
