Thursday, September 8, 2016

LUCOM student-doctor groups contribute in local HEALTHFEST, promote healthy living

Thu, 08 Sep 2016Asa Keimig, Marketing and PR Coordinator

On Saturday, Aug. 27, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine (LUCOM) student organizations participated in Lynchburg Rec & Parks HEALTHFEST at Miller Park in Lynchburg, Va., to help bring awareness to the community about local health opportunities and resources.

The Nutrition and Preventative Medicine (NaPMed) interest group and the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) were both in attendance, pursuing LUCOM’s mission to address the needs of underserved communities. HEALTHFEST served as an excellent opportunity for the student-doctors to promote healthy living, raise awareness of various diseases, and promote LUCOM's presence within the community, all while providing volunteer opportunities for LUCOM student-doctors.

LUCOM-SNMA hosted a booth where student-doctors raised awareness for cultivating a healthy lifestyle. Topics ranged from medical care to healthy eating to physical activity. “This event allowed students to get involved within the local community,” said Joyce Song, OMS-II, SNMA Community Outreach Chair. “They were able to interact with and meet local residents as well as various individuals who were interested in partnering with LUCOM.” Events such as HEALTHFEST foster unity and collaboration between LUCOM student-doctors and the community.

LUCOM-NaPMed volunteered with the group Type 1 Diabetes Experience (T1DE) to aid in risk assessments and blood sugar screenings, while also educating the public about diabetes. LUCOM-NaPMed educated participants on disease prevention and detection. Diabetes is frequently associated with dietary habits, which can often be difficult for patients to fully understand. Through counseling and encouragement, LUCOM-NaPMed hopes to help prevent diseases within the local community. “Events such as HEALTHFEST allow us the opportunity to see a large number of people with varying demographics,” said Hannah Aucoin, OMS-II, NaPMed Lead Chair. “We also saw many people who do not see a doctor on a regular basis, so we were able to check the health risks of those that might not get help otherwise.” Student-doctors that volunteered were able to refine their knowledge of risk factors, disease presentation, and testing techniques for diabetes. It also allowed student-doctors the opportunity to talk with those who live with diabetes, thus providing an opportunity to learn beyond the classroom setting. “It’s great when we have an opportunity to practice our practical skills with real people in the community,” said Aucoin. “It helps you to gain confidence in your skills and learn what type of questions and concerns the patients in the community have.”

The Health and Wellness Fair (HEALHTFEST) was free and open to the public as attendees enjoyed an assortment of health screenings, a kid’s zone, and live music in addition to other activities with over 40 vendors on site in Miller Park.