Feeling good and looking good met in the Metro East during the first Fall Community Health Festival on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at the Alpha Complex in East St. Louis.
More than 200 residents were treated to free health screenings, clothing, haircuts and health information provided Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Nursing (SON), along with its WE CARE Clinic in East St. Louis.
The Metro East St. Louis Community Initiative and Delta Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., were also instrumental in hosting the inaugural festival.
“Hosting a health fair in East St. Louis, or any underserved area, is essential because it provides critical health screenings and resources that help identify and address health issues,” said Myjal Garner, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, assistant professor and WE CARE Clinic interim director.
“It also addresses basic needs like clothing and food, improving physical well-being while fostering community trust and empowerment, all of which contributes to the overall quality of life.”
The WE CARE Clinic provided a range of services such as wellness exams, flu shots, blood pressure screenings and health education, according to Garner.
In addition, participants received free clothing, coats, shoes and toiletries from the WE CARE Clinic Community Resource Center, along with complimentary haircuts, hair styling, manicures, makeovers, food and more from various vendors.
Services provided by SIUE faculty and students included:
- A mental health table to educate patients about mental health awareness, hosted by SON Associate Dean Becky Luebbert, PhD, PMHCNS-BC.
- An asthma assessment table to inform participants about asthma management and enroll those with asthma in the clinic’s program. It was hosted by Kerry Basarich, instructor in Primary Care and Health Systems Nursing and WE CARE asthma coordinator.
- Health education, blood pressure screenings and flu shots were provided at both the WE CARE Clinic table and the mobile health unit by Gayle Ostermiller, FHCH, SON instructor, Kimberly Borders, Clinic medical assistant, and SIUE nursing students Naomi Russell, Violet Patten and Brittney Harper.
- Community Resource Center tables with clothing, coats and shoes were supervised by Jill Wright, Clinic medical assistant and Adrian Liley, public health student.
- A table to offer general pharmaceutical education was operated by SIUE School of Pharmacy students Lauren Wells, Luke Klinefelter, Venise Govan and Kristen Kennedy.
“Additionally, several items were given away, including four $25 gift cards, a sound bar, two bikes and various school supplies,” said Garner.
“Both the community and vendors can’t wait for another free health festival – and we’re thrilled to say it’s already in the works!”
The WE CARE Clinic provides primary patient care at 601 James R. Thompson Blvd. on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus in Building D. The Clinic staff includes four advanced Nurse Practitioners, a collaborating physician, health coaches, nursing faculty, and a pharmacist. All providers offer comprehensive services to diverse clients who reside in the Metro East and surrounding communities.
The SIUE School of Nursing’s programs enroll nearly 1,900 students in its baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral programs.
Its mission is to develop leaders in pursuit of shaping the nursing profession and impacting the health care environment, according to Garner.
He said SIUE’s undergraduate nursing programs “help solve the region’s shortage of baccalaureate-prepared nurses and enhance the quality of nursing practice within all patient service venues.”
The school’s graduate programs prepare nurses for advanced roles in clinical practice, administration and education.