IU Medical Students Volunteer Efforts at West Side Health Fair for Primary Care Week Huge Success

Indiana University medical students, under the supervision of IU faculty physicians, organized the 8th annual health fair for the community. The health fair was held at the IUMG Westside Community Health Center located at 2732 W. Michigan Avenue, on Saturday, October 15th. The event coincided with National Primary Care Week (Oct. 17-21), which advocates the importance of health care and brings health professionals together to serve those with limited or no access to care.

This year’s event saw over 200 people from the community in attendance and over 80 medical students volunteering their Saturday. In addition to providing immunizations for adults, students also provided blood pressure, diabetes, vision, pediatric dental and cholesterol checks. A triage center was established to immediately care for anyone that had an immediate medical need.  For example, the triage was utilized for community members with excessive blood sugar levels and dangerously high blood pressure.  Also, information about colorectal cancer, prostate health, osteoporosis, pediatric immunizations, domestic violence, gun violence, STDs, pregnancy, depression, substance abuse, anxiety, geriatrics, sports medicine, smoking cessation, breast cancer, poison control, consumer safety and nutrition were available.

To celebrate the theme of National Primary Care Week 2005 "Breaking Down Barriers: Health Literacy in Community Health," for the first time, community members had a chance to discuss healthcare barriers with local physicians including Judith Monroe, M.D., Indiana State Health Commissioner, Virginia Caine, M.D., Director, Marion County Health Department, and Betty Rutledge, M.D., Director, Westside Community Health Center. Topics included access to care and healthcare disparities in the African-American population.

Faculty volunteers from the Department of Family Medicine were Scott Renshaw, M.D., Richard Kiovsky, David Yan, M.D., Douglas McKeag, M.D., and Peter Nalin, M.D., were on hand as well as students from the Family Medicine Student Interest Group (FMSIG). First year IU Family Practice resident Ruben Hernań Hernández Mondragoń, M.D., was also there and provided invaluable translation services as well as pitching in where ever he was needed.

For the children, the Indianapolis Fire Department Station 1 ladder truck was there as well as the Marion County Health Department Buckle-up Bunny, octopus, and cabbage-kid to entertain as well as plenty of balloons. Tables were set-up for coloring health-related pictures. Food and snacks were also provided throughout the day.

To see more pictures from the day, please go to our FMSIG site.

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