CHCS - Perspectives Summer/Fall 2017

40 Nova Southeastern University Physician Assistant Fort Myers Project S.E.E.D. Enhanced by Generous Grant from the Collier Foundation By Kevin Hunter, M.Ed. , Fort Myers Campus Director THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT profession was originally created to respond to the health care provider shortage in poverty- stricken and rural areas. In 2010, the NSU Fort Myers Physician Assistant (PA) Program recognized this need close to home, in the migrant worker community in Immokalee, Florida, by establishing Project Serving Everyone, Embracing Diversity (S.E.E.D.). Many residents of this community are at risk for accidents and morbidity from major illnesses—such as diabetes, hyperten- sion, and cancer—due to lifestyle factors and their farming work. The PA students’ first initiative was to organize a com- munity health fair to provide safety glasses and education to protect workers at risk of infections and eye injuries, such as corneal abrasions. Since 2010, Project S.E.E.D. has grown to include more than 300 participants and 65 volunteers, including physician assistant and nursing students, who are accompanied by faculty members. Every year, each Fort Myers PA organization has expanded the health fair, which now provides gloves and protective glasses, blood pressure and glucose testing, nutrition coun- seling, clothing donations, sports equipment donations from NSU’s Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus, children’s activities, and bicycles, which are the primary means of transportation for many of the Immokalee residents. In addition, the 2015 PA organization expanded the health fair by working to establish connections in the local community and collaborate with the Collier County Health Department for dental hygiene, mosquito awareness, and HIV screenings. In 2016, the Student Government Association, the NSU Fort Myers Campus, and Project S.E.E.D. cochairs and students Ailiz Martin and Sydnee Prince organized the donation of 40 new bicycles, bike helmets, reading glasses, safety glasses, field hats, mosquito repellent, soccer balls, and footballs. Much of this was made possible because of the support of a Collier Foundation grant, which was applied for by Kyrus Patch, D.H.Sc. , M.S.P.A.S., PA-C, program director and assistant professor. Additionally, the grant funds made it possible to offer mammogram screenings through Radiology Regional Medical Center and professional dental screenings through the Collier County Mobile Dental screening bus. ● First-year Fort Myers PA students are shown at the Project S.E.E.D. Immokalee Health Fair.