TAMIU Takes Part in Laredo Health Coalition's Health Fair Saturday at Boys & Girls Club

Before your health takes a back seat to the hustle and excitement of the holidays, stop by the Laredo Health Coalition's (LHC) Fall Health Fair, Saturday, November 20 from 8 a.m. until noon.

The free event, sponsored by Texas A&M International University's Dr. F.M. Canseco School of Nursing and the LHC will be at the Benavidez Boys & Girls Club located at 500 Moctezuma. Everyone is invited.

"The [TAMIU] nursing students organized the event as part of their Community Health Nursing class. The students have been working on the health fair since September. They conducted a community needs assessment and contacted and worked with the different health care and social agencies in Laredo," explained Rose Saldivar, School of Nursing assistant professor.

Organizing the event is only a part of the process. The students were given two communities to conduct an assessment and develop and provide a plan that would provide neighborhoods with health education which addressed their needs.

"We can't provide everything, but we are able to provide some of the services through the health fair," said Saldivar.

Approximately 50 junior and senior nursing students will provide some of those services along with more than 10 local and state agencies.

Services include immunizations, blood pressure checks, vision screening, PSA for men, glucose and cholesterol blood screen, physical exams, and referrals to health and social service agencies.

For children receiving immunizations, parents are asked to take the child's immunization records. All are encouraged to take their family members.

"The students will perform basic health assessment skills like checking height and weight, blood pressure and health education. They are also coordinating the children's activities among other things," added Saldivar.

"Service learning is a structured learning experience that combines community service with preparation and reflection. Students engaged in service learning provide community service in response to community-identified concerns and learn about the context in which service is provided, the connection between their service and their academic coursework and their roles as citizens," she explained.

Saturday's Health Fair is one of three that occurs throughout the year. The last health fair was held in August.

For more information about the Health Fair, contact Rose Saldivar at 326.2450, e-mail rsaldivar@tamiu.edu or visit offices in Dr. F.M. Canseco Hall, room 315L.

University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.