51品茶students work alongside Maine Medical Center professionals to provide free health care
The 51品茶 partnered with Maine Medical Center (MMC) and the Portland Public Library for a Community Health Fair on Tuesday, October 2.
The clinic was open to everyone, with a focus on homeless individuals, new Mainers and other underserved patients.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great to pair students with colleagues from Maine Medical Center, the Portland Public Library and all of our community agencies to serve these really vulnerable communities that need better access to health care, resources and information,鈥 said Trisha Mason, M.A., director of the WCHP Service Learning program.
51品茶students and MMC professionals provided visitors with free flu shots, blood pressure and diabetes screenings, oral health education and connections to local health and support agencies.
The clinic gave 20 students from six different 51品茶programs hands-on experience working with professional nurses from MMC, while also providing valuable health screenings and education to people who otherwise may not have access to them.
鈥淣ot only did our students provide information and resources, they also had the opportunity to learn from peers, colleagues and other professionals in the field,鈥 explained Mason.
Lydia McIntire (Nursing, 鈥19) says it was an opportunity to apply the skills she learned in the classroom. It also gave her experience working collaboratively with other health providers.
鈥淎s a nursing student, I think it's really important to work as part of a team with professionals,鈥 she stated. 鈥淕etting ahead of that and jump starting it in a work environment is going to help me in the future.鈥
Students from Nursing, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, College of Pharmacy, College of Dental Medicine, and Social Work volunteered their time to the health fair.
The Community Health Fair was featured on
