Four HLTH 440 students (Kristen Siegler, Taylor Hockman, Jenna Osseck, and Anna Grinter) are working with the NEMO Heart Health sub-committee to create and publicize a campaign to promote automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the community. This two-pronged campaign exists: 1) for the general Kirksville community to understand the purpose of AEDs; and 2) for Kirksville employers to understand AEDs and to authorize sites where AEDs could be placed in businesses. NEMO Heart Health wants to place 50 AEDs in Kirksville in 5 years. The group is going to publicize this in February, heart health month, with a public relations event to continue to promote the implementation of AEDs.
There are numerous other projects taking place in the community with the help of Truman State Health Science students. Examples of this come from the health science capstone class in which the following projects have been created.
The HLTH 195 Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) & Environmental Wellness project will work with Dr. Young and selected HLTH 195 instructors to create PowerPoint lectures to be presented in the HLTH 195 classes. The outline of the STI lecture will include definitions, types of infections, risk factors, transmission, signs and symptoms of each STI, how to protect oneself and partner(s), treatment, and possible complications. The environmental wellness lesson will include the 4R’s + related information/stats, and how college students’ actions impact the environment.
The Drive Safe, Drive Smart (DSDS) campus intervention will include displays, educational activities, presentations, and information tables about the Missouri DSDS campaign. This project will include planning, budgeting, preparation, review and implementation in cooperation with appropriate personnel in order to promote safe driving throughout Missouri.
The NEMO Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Public Health Careers Club Project will work with the NEMO AHEC executive director to develop and pilot activities for Health Careers Clubs to educate high school students about and recruit them into public health careers. Educational presentations and online sessions will be created and local public health speakers and career visits scheduled.
These are just a few examples of work from health science students. These projects give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge to practical, real-world settings.