ATSU reaches out to underserved Arizona community
Posted: March 2, 2009
MESA, Ariz. (2-23-09) – Nearly 800 individuals in need received free health screenings and services at the second annual Free Family Health & Wellness Day, held at San Marcos Elementary School in Chandler, Ariz., on February 21.
A.T. Still University (ATSU) co-sponsored the event with the Chandler CARE Center and the BHHS Legacy Foundation. Families from the Chandler community were offered free health services such as physical exams, hearing and vision screenings, dental sealants, and vital health recordings, all of which were performed by students from ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ASDOH), Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS), and School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (SOMA).
“The event was a great success. We surpassed the number of patients seen last year by 43 percent,” said Beth Poppre, assistant vice president for student & alumni services at ATSU. “Our partnership with the Chandler CARE Center is such a positive experience for our students and employees. Events like this exhibit ATSU’s mission of compassion and dedication to improving healthcare.”
The Free Family Health & Wellness Day offered a clothing drive, music and entertainment, arts and crafts, and the opportunity to meet the Phoenix Suns Gorilla. After health screenings were completed, families collected one bag of groceries for every service they received.
“The Free Family Health & Wellness Day event shows what can be done for our community when organizations and individuals put their collective efforts to work. Our neighbors received much needed services from more than 170 students, faculty, staff, and community partners,” said ATSU Provost Craig M. Phelps, D.O. “By giving our time and resources, everyone at ATSU benefits from knowing and feeling the University is making a difference locally.”