Elon PA Students participated in a service-learning project at Garrett Elementary School in Mebane, N.C., on Sept. 29, 2017.
Thirty-six physician assistant studies students from the class of 2019 volunteered their time on Friday, Sept. 29, to participate in a service-learning project at Garrett Elementary School in Mebane.
The project “PA-rtnering for Healthy Habits” was developed from a grant awarded to Shaun Lynch, assistant professor of physician assistant studies and academic coordinator, and Diane Duffy, assistant professor of physician assistant studies and director of clinical education, from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants Health Foundation.
The students provided pediatric “patient education” to approximately 120 fifth-grade students with a focus on age-appropriate health education and promotion. The topics included nutrition, physical activity, oral health, safety, online safety/screentime and germs/hand hygiene, and delivered “health fair style” in short, actively engaging stations.
The project was mutually beneficial for both the PA program and elementary school. The PA students were able to raise awareness and reinforce important health related topics to the elementary students.
The project also exposed the children, teachers, school and local community to the physician assistat profession and how these medical providers are an important part of the health care team.