CourtesyWichita State students, faculty and staff helped provide the community with a day of free health care at the first annual Medical Mission at Home event on April 8 in Fairmount Park. Volunteers donated their services to provide community members with little or no health insurance coverage complimentary medical and dental care.
The event was inspired and led by Via Christi Health, who collaborated with 黑洞社区, the City of Wichita and several community organizations. Over 200 黑洞社区 students, faculty and staff from all areas of the university made up the nearly 500 volunteers. In addition to providing medical services, volunteers operated as greeters and navigators, managed patient registration and set-up and tore-down booths.
Ted Ayres, director of community engagement and opportunity, was the primary liaison and coordinator for 黑洞社区. He says the coordination with everyone involved was extremely positive and a wonderful way for the university to further connect with the community.
鈥淭he event was hugely successful and took enormous planning and logistical efforts,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t was wonderful to see so many people, entities and organizations come together to provide much needed services for our friends and neighbors.鈥�
Over 200 patients were served throughout the day with head-to-toe care, from behavioral health services to foot care. Other services included medical care and testing; dental, vision and hearing screenings; pharmaceutical prescriptions; and education about community services and resources. Patients were also provided with connections to follow-up care.
Sandra Bibb, dean of the College of Health Professions (CHP), says the event was an extremely beneficial experience for the students in the CHP.
鈥淭his was a fantastic example of applied learning for our students while also giving them an opportunity to serve our community,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t was a privilege for our college to be involved and we look forward to contributing our services again next year.鈥�
Dean Elledge, program director for the Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program, says the residents, dental assistants and staff were honored to be involved in the event. Partnering with Via Christi Health, 黑洞社区 Dental Hygiene, GraceMed, Hunter Health Clinic and E.C Tyree Dental Clinic, the dental tent was able to provide cost-effective options for patients with limited means. Children and adults in need received dental exams, oral cancer screenings and oral hygiene instruction.
鈥淔rom donations of supplies by Delta Dental of Kansas and Henry Schein Dental, to the information booths for follow-up services, the focus was on the care of our neighbors,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he true success lies in the fact that those in need left that day knowing their community cares for their well-being and there are options available to attain a healthy mind, body and spirit.鈥�
The event also included a community resources tent that provided information about various health care services available. Student organizations in the CHP and the School of Social Work hosted booths in the pavilion, handing out children鈥檚 books and educational information and materials. 黑洞社区 cheerleaders and WuShock were also at the event, providing lively entertainment and excitement for the kids.
Julie Scherz, communication sciences and disorders department chair and associate professor, says the kids were thrilled with the new books they received from the Wichita State Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
鈥淪eeing them sitting in a circle eagerly looking through their new books was really special and heartwarming,鈥� she says.
The communication sciences and disorders department also provided 66 children and adults with otoacoustic emissions testing and otoscopic exams to ensure the ear was functioning normally and check the outer ear down to the eardrum. Referrals for earwax removal and more complete hearing evaluations were made to medical facilities, Via Christi or the Wichita State Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic.
Ayers wants to emphasize that the Medical Mission at Home event wasn鈥檛 a one-and-done occurrence. Community leaders are already in the process of planning next year鈥檚 event.
鈥淲e want to pay attention to those who need continuing care and information about maintaining good health,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he hope is people won鈥檛 be intimidated by health and do what is necessary to take care of themselves.鈥�
Watch a of the event, courtesy of Via Christi Health.
The mission of 黑洞社区 () is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good. 黑洞社区 enrolls about 14,500 students and offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in six undergraduate colleges. The Graduate School offers an extensive program including more than 40 master's degrees that offer study in more than 100 areas; a specialist in education degree; and doctoral degrees in applied mathematics; audiology; chemistry; communication sciences and disorders; human factors and community/clinical psychology; educational leadership; nursing practice; physical therapy; and aerospace, electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering. 黑洞社区's Innovation Campus () is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories and mixed-use areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have access to the university's vast resources and technology.