2008 Woodie Awards
PA program gives back to the community during winter months
SUSIE SAGUES
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: News
Students of the physician assistant (PA) program spent the winter months volunteering their time and contributing to three major community service events. Between Dec. 2007 and Jan. 2008, students volunteered at the Mount Sinai Children's Hospital, the St. Xavier soup kitchen, and promoted health on campus.
During the holiday season, students donated toys of all sorts to the Mount Sinai Children's Hospital's holiday gift drive. The program estimated donating over 40 different toys to the children's hospital. Although the program ran during final exams, students found great joy in delivering the toys to the children in person.
Upon arriving back from winter break, the PA students volunteered at the St. Xavier soup kitchen. Many of the future physician assistants described their volunteering at the soup kitchen as an eye opening experience.
The students said it was important to realize the number of NYC residents that are without shelter or sources of nutritional food everyday. Understanding these severities allowed the students to gain an insight into the diversity of health issues impacting low-income residents.
In addition to outside efforts, the PA students also helped promote health education on campus. During prime class hours, PA students set up an informational table in the entranceway of One Pace Plaza to educate members of the University community on blood pressure control.
During the event, PA students took readings of their colleagues' blood pressures and spoke about the importance of maintaining normal blood pressure levels. Educational literature on blood pressure was distributed in addition to the blood pressure readings.
During the holiday season, students donated toys of all sorts to the Mount Sinai Children's Hospital's holiday gift drive. The program estimated donating over 40 different toys to the children's hospital. Although the program ran during final exams, students found great joy in delivering the toys to the children in person.
Upon arriving back from winter break, the PA students volunteered at the St. Xavier soup kitchen. Many of the future physician assistants described their volunteering at the soup kitchen as an eye opening experience.
The students said it was important to realize the number of NYC residents that are without shelter or sources of nutritional food everyday. Understanding these severities allowed the students to gain an insight into the diversity of health issues impacting low-income residents.
In addition to outside efforts, the PA students also helped promote health education on campus. During prime class hours, PA students set up an informational table in the entranceway of One Pace Plaza to educate members of the University community on blood pressure control.
During the event, PA students took readings of their colleagues' blood pressures and spoke about the importance of maintaining normal blood pressure levels. Educational literature on blood pressure was distributed in addition to the blood pressure readings.
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