LEBANON, Oregon – Medical students with WesternU COMP-Northwest served more than 320 patients during a free Rural Health Fair Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 at the Lebanon Wal-Mart Supercenter.
Student doctors, under the direction of a licensed physician, offered blood pressure and glucose checks and counseled patients on their body mass index and lifestyle choices.
The Rural Health Fair was planned by COMP-Northwest’s Rural Health Club in conjunction with Rural Health Day, which was recognized by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Nov. 19, 2015. A total of 48 medical students volunteered at the fair.
“The fair was a huge success and a great way to celebrate National Rural Health Day,” said Amanda Emmert, COMP-Northwest student and co-president of the college’s Rural Health Club. “It was exciting to see such positive community involvement and the interest the community had in preventative medicine.”
The fair did more than check residents’ health. For each participant who visited five booths and filled out a “passport,” money was donated to the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Santiam. Thanks to the passports, as well as pledges and donations resulting from the fair, $350 will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Santiam.
The fair included several partner organizations. The Lebanon Fire District was on site with a fire truck and treats for children. Impact Oregon provided a car accident display with information on distracted driving. The Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Santiam had participants make cards dedicated to rural physicians. CrossFit PR hosted an exercise booth, and Linn County CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) gave information on how to put together emergency kits with household items. Wal-Mart provided free vision screening.
“All of the booths were well-received, but I think the nutrition booth, the Medical Teams International mobile dental van, and the osteopathic manipulations booth were among the favorites,” Emmert said. The dental van served 14 patients in six hours, two of whom were younger than 18. The value of services rendered by the program was $6,189.
“It was really a collaborative effort to get the whole community involved,” said Dr. Charlie Ross, advisor to the Rural Health Club. “Of course with rural health care, that’s really important because of the limited services in many cases.”
In total, 18 community volunteers helped put on the fair, operating more than 22 booths at the inaugural event. None of it would not have taken place without Wal-Mart’s support, Emmert said. “We are thankful to Wal-Mart for being so accommodating in providing the space for the fair,” she added.
About Western University of Health Sciences Western University of Health Sciences (http://www.westernu.edu/), located in Pomona, Calif. and Lebanon, Ore., is an independent nonprofit health professions university, conferring degrees in biomedical sciences, dental medicine, health sciences, medical sciences, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine and veterinary medicine. WesternU is home to the Patient Care Center, where the best in collaborative health care services is offered. The Chronicle of Higher Education named WesternU a Great College to Work For in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
