CHCS Perspectives Winter 2014

PERSPECTIVES • WINTER 2014 – Page 32 Three years ago, the NSU Physician Assistant Program of Southwest Florida began a community outreach program called Project S.E.E.D. The initiative’s mission came from the name Serv- ing Everyone, Embracing Diversity, with a goal to reach the un- derserved population of migrant workers. At the heart of Project S.E.E.D. is the annual health fair in Immokalee, Florida. Over the past two years, the preceding physi- cian assistant classes have expanded the health fair to include events such as “Sweet Shades,” “Pressure Tester,” “Sugar Check,” “Nu- trition Made Easy,” a mammogram bus, and children’s activities. This year, the class of 2015 was able to expand the health fair even further by working to establish connections in the local community and collaborate with the Collier County Health Department. As such, the Third Annual Health Fair, which took place on November 3, included the above projects and was expanded to include “Dental Hygiene,” “Mosquito Awareness,” and “HIV/Syphilis Screenings.” About 65 volunteers, including physician assistant students, nurs- ing students, and professors, were able to see approximately 300 participants, not including children. Each participant was given blood pressure and blood glucose screenings, nutrition education, a toothbrush and toothpaste, work gloves and protective sunglasses, and the opportunity to be tested for HIV/syphilis. Additionally, 10 bicycles and 2 scooters were raffled off for free and 20 at-risk women were given a free mammogram. Of the participants, 67 per- cent spoke Spanish, 23 percent spoke Creole, and 10 percent spoke English as their primary language. Focusing on the target popula- tion, 68 percent of the participants were migrant workers. These numbers were close to expected and consistent with previous years. Aside from all the statistics that can be attributed to strenuous planning, organizing, and advertising, when it came down to the actual day of the health fair, we realized we were helping real peo- ple with real families and real-life struggles. Whether we took 300 blood pressures or gave free mammograms to 20 women, in hind- sight, the numbers do not matter. We could have seen 1,000 or even 100,000 people come through our building, but giving just one migrant farmworker a pair of protective sunglasses to prevent a corneal abrasion was worth all the planning and work put in dur- ing the months leading up to the event. Seeing the gratefulness in the eyes of a man with two young chil- dren who were patiently waiting while their father got his blood glu- cose level checked can remind us all of why we decided to join the health care field. One task that seems ordinary to us as physician assistant students could change the life of another individual. It just goes to show that what we have been taking for granted is invaluable to others—especially to those in underserved communities. Many times, especially as students in medicine, we can lose sight of this fact, which is why Project S.E.E.D. is a great way to bring our goals back into focus. The needs of others and the willingness of those of us who are privileged enough to receive an education are what is going to keep community outreach programs such as Project S.E.E.D. going. We can do as much good as we choose to do; in the end we all reap the benefits. With the success of last year’s health fair, Project S.E.E.D. will continue its successes by restoring and improving Hygiene Hyjinks and S.E.E.D. Next Generation. Hygiene Hyjinks is an elementary school-oriented initiative to educate children in underserved com- munities about the practice of basic hygiene. Topics will include oral hygiene, hand washing, bathing, and grooming. S.E.E.D. Next Generation is a program targeting high-school students in under- served communities to mentor them in pursuing a medical career, specifically with the goal of becoming a physician assistant. Both programs will be launched in the spring of 2014. By Julie Cortez and Jonathan Boyd, Class of 2015 Physician Assistant Students ...PROJECT S.E.E.D. Julie Cortez and Jonathan Boyd: Project S.E.E.D. Immokalee health fair coordinators. Cortez serves as director of diversity and co-director of Project S.E.E.D., while Boyd is the project’s director of external affairs and co-director.