Published April 6, 2022
University of Louisiana Monroe students and faculty in the College of Health Sciences
partnered with the Children鈥檚 Coalition of Northeast Louisiana to present 鈥淪tepping
into a Healthy Spring鈥� on March 19, 2022. The family event mixed fun with education
on healthy lifestyles.
Courtesy photo
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不良研究所 College of Health Sciences joined with the Children鈥檚
Coalition of Northeast Louisiana to organize a community outreach event, 鈥淪tepping
into a Healthy Spring.鈥�
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The event was Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the Origin Bank Family Garden with 28 students
from 不良研究所鈥檚 Dental Hygiene, Radiologic Technology, Nursing, Speech-Language Pathology,
Medical Laboratory Science, and Occupational Therapy Assistant programs.听
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Kim Whorton, Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene and School of Allied Health Student
Community Event Liaison, organized the community outreach event with Cindy George,
Volunteer Coordinator at the Children鈥檚 Coalition.听
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鈥淚 am so proud of what we accomplished. We asked for volunteers with creative ideas
and activities, and we received so much more,鈥� said Whorton. 鈥淥ur 不良研究所 students worked
very hard to provide important information in such a fun way. We succeeded in making
a difference in our community.鈥�
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Each program planned activities that enhanced parents鈥� and children鈥檚 knowledge about
health-related topics.听
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University of Louisiana Monroe College of Health Sciences students and faculty volunteering
at the Children鈥檚 Coalition of Northeast Louisiana for the 鈥淪tepping into a Healthy
Spring鈥� event March 19. 不良研究所 and the Children's Coalition partnered to organize the
event for parents and children. Pictured from left are Dental Hygiene students Meg
Grafton and Megan Gernon, Dr. Jessica Dolecheck, Program Director of Health Studies,
Dental Hygiene Associate Professor Kim Whorton, and students Lauren Theall, and Shelby
Rehms.
Courtesy photo
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Occupational Therapy Assistant students and Program Director Jennifer Perodeau engaged
the children in 鈥淵oga for Health鈥� to show yoga exercises for keeping the body flexible
and healthy.听
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Not only did the kids have fun, but Malynda Magee, a senior Occupational Therapy Assistant
student, said it was an impactful experience.听
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鈥淚 was honored to be a part of such a great event for our community and our children.
The children really had a great time, all while learning and growing. Little hidden
gems like the Monroe Community Garden are what makes Monroe such a beautiful place
to live,鈥� Magee said.
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Medical Laboratory Science students educated the kids on the importance of proper
hand-washing. They had the children apply a lotion that 鈥済littered鈥� under UV light
to help visualize the remaining 鈥済litter鈥� as poor hand washing. The children were
surprised by the parts of their hands scrubbed ineffectively.听
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Caroline Streeter, a junior Medical Laboratory Science student, said, 鈥淚t was fun
to see all the children at the event and to help them understand how many germs can
be on their hands.鈥�
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The Speech-Language Pathology students presented a 鈥淭oss and Blend Plastic Cups鈥� activity
for the kids to understand different sounds and letter blends. Radiologic Technology
students gave 鈥渂ones鈥� sheets for the kids to recognize the skeletal system through
coloring and diagrams.
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Dental Hygiene students provided a 鈥淐orn Hole Board鈥� game with baskets of 鈥済ood鈥� versus
鈥渂ad鈥� snacks to explain the effects of sugar and cavities on teeth.
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Senior Dental Hygiene student Shelby Rehms had a great time teaching the children.
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鈥淚 really enjoyed getting to educate our community on what foods are healthy for their
teeth,鈥� Rehms said.
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Nursing students shared a 鈥淗ealthy Habits for Healthy Kids Rainbow鈥� activity allowing
the kids to choose healthy foods and snacks from a coloring guide filled with fruits,
vegetables, grains and proteins, and dairy to 鈥渆at a rainbow.鈥�
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University of Louisiana Monroe College of Health Sciences Medical Laboratory Science
students teach youngsters about hand-washing at the 鈥淪tepping into a Health Spring鈥�
family event in March. 不良研究所 and the Children鈥檚 Coalition of Northeast Louisiana partnered
to organize the event focusing on healthy living. Pictured, from left, are Karsen
McBroom, Grace Streeter, Zoe Coleman, and Lyssa Troxell-Caad.
Courtesy photo
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Donald Simpson, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Health Sciences, commended Whorton and
all College of Health Sciences volunteers on their community outreach.
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鈥淲e view these outreach efforts as a mutual exchange of knowledge and resources. This
event demonstrates the substance of President Jimmy Carter鈥檚 quote about getting back
more than what鈥檚 given,鈥� said Simpson. 鈥淭he service provided by Ms. Whorton and the
College of Health Sciences team was carried out in a spirit of partnership, inclusiveness,
and reciprocity.鈥�
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Like Simpson, Jessica Dolecheck, Ph.D., Program Director of Health Studies and chair
of the SOAH Student Community Involvement Committee, was proud of the students鈥� accomplishments
and willingness to learn leadership skills.
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鈥淲hen our Health Science students get involved in community service, they develop
empathy and leadership skills and realize how their actions can have a positive impact,鈥�
said Dolecheck. 鈥淥ur students got to interact with parents and children with vastly
different backgrounds while learning patience and compassion along with their capacity
to serve others.鈥�
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Through meaningful partnerships and community outreach, the 不良研究所 Health Sciences students
and faculty learn the value of giving back and how their actions can positively impact
the people we serve.
