The QU PA Program is greatly committed to serving the community around us. During my first 6 months in the 27 month program I have already had to opportunity to get involved in various community service projects. During the summer months, I participated in two Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) events. KEEP Events provide for the opportunity for the uninsured or underinsured members of our community to receive free early kidney disease screening. The QU PA Program usually partners with students from the University of Bridgeport PA Program, UCONN Medical School, and UCONN School of Pharmacy for this program as the events usually get very busy. QU PA Students often assist with the screening process by taking blood pressures, testing blood glucose, performing urinalysis, and carrying out other kidney screening tests.
During the Fall Semester our first year class got involved with a local elementary school and started up an educational nutrition program called “Nutrition Detectives”. The “Nutrition Detectives” program, I really believe, was beneficial for both parties involved. In learning how to teach kids about nutrition, I learned a thing or two about reading labels and making healthier food choices for myself. Imagine the impact of children learning to do this when they are in 4th and 5th grades of elementary school. At the commencement of our weekly “Nutrition Detectives” Program our class put on a Fall Fitness Fair which included physical activities such as basketball, aerobics, yoga, and other activities in which all grades K-8 could participate. The purpose of the Fall Fitness Fair was to teach children the importance of incorporating physical activity into daily lifestyle, and that these types of activities could be really fun!
Another community service project that I became involved in this semester was the “Midnight Run” program. The QU PA Program makes a year-round monthly commitment to this program. During the midnight runs, QU PA students prepare food to bring to the homeless members of the New Haven Community. The students then deliver the food and then stop by a local men’s shelter to hand out donated clothing and toiletries.
Since the QU PA Program has recently become a member of the UCONN School of Medicine Urban Service Track we participated in a state-wide health fair during National Primary Care Week this past October. These health fairs took place at over 12 different locations throughout the state of Connecticut. Health Fair visitors had the opportunity to get blood pressure and blood glucose screenings and were educated in many health topics including oral health and sexual health.
As you can see, there are many, many ways in which you can become involved in community service as a student in the QU PA Program. The projects we carry out are both medically related and non-medically related in nature. Students in this program are very committed to the work that we do and strive to make a difference and impact for the people around us.
--Kaitlyn Kasinskas Physician Assistant 2013
