On Thursday, October 5, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and his wife, Jamie, launched Brooklyn’s 5th annual “Take Your Man to the Doctor” week by recounting their personal experience this summer when Borough President Markowitz had a health scare that sent him to the emergency room.

“Take Your Man to the Doctor” is a call to action for men of all ages, ethnicities, and economic levels to regularly visit a doctor, and for the women and men who love them to help make it happen. From October 16 to October 22, nine participating Brooklyn hospitals, clinics, and physicians throughout Brooklyn will offer free health screenings while participating Brooklyn YMCAs will offer free guest passers.

Borough President Markowitz and Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham were joined at the event by participating “Take Your Man” partners including NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Brooklyn District Public Health Office Deputy Director Christina Larkin, Continuum Health Partners, LICH and Beth Israel Kings Highway Division, Director of Community Affairs Brad Korn, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center Director Of Community Affairs Harry Schiffman, MetroPlus Director Dr. Martin Valdes, and Central Brooklyn Medical Group President Dr. Leslie Kernisant.

Free health screenings will be held October 16, at Brooklyn Borough Hall from 11:00am to 2:00pm, October 18, at Atlantic Center mall from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, October 19, at Kings Plaza 11:00am to 3:00pm, and October 22, at Gateway mall 11:00am to 3:00pm.