SHP programs provide screenings and health and wellness info at Spurs Back to School Bash

 

Students and faculty from five programs in the School of Health Professions participated in the Spurs Give Back to School Bash on Aug. 5.

Several thousand children and adults attended the free community event, which included backpack and school supply giveaways, vaccinations, haircuts, eye exams, dental screenings, and a variety of other activities and services from community organizations and vendors participating in the event.

Third-year Master of Physician Assistant Studies student Christina Civis welcomed the opportunity to engage with the community she looks forward to working with after graduation.

“As future PAs it’s important to always give back to the community, especially where you are learning and having opportunities to grow as a health professional,” Civis said. “I think the kids had a lot of opportunities to learn about different aspects of health and learn about healthy eating habits and anatomy.”

School of Health Professions students and faculty engaged with and provided information to school-age attendees and their families in a variety of ways, including:

• Glucose, hemoglobin, cholesterol and triglyceride screenings (Medical Laboratory Sciences)
• Interpretation of screening results and height and weight screenings (Physician Assistant Studies)
• Tips for healthy backpack packing and mindful eating (Occupational Therapy)
• A hands-on heartbeat listening activity (Medical Sciences)
• Demonstrations of respiratory function with mechanical and manual ventilation (Respiratory Care)

In addition to the School of Health Professions, UT Health San Antonio was represented at the event by the School of Dentistry/UT Dentistry and the School of Nursing/Wellness 360.