Campus Director Tammy Riley, right, and nursing students got a close-up look at a medevac helicopter.
Army recruiter and National student Landon Huffman talks with kids about bullying.
Medical assisting student Kristen Daniels is pictured as she draws blood from a fair participant.
The Pikeville Campus of National College held its fifth annual Healthy Fun Fair Thursday, July 26, and organizers are saying it was the best ever, with more than 1,000 in attendance at the event.
A wide variety of state and local government agencies and community groups partnered with the campus to provide free medical services and screenings, useful information and other services, as well as food, drinks, and a variety of games and fun activities for all ages.
“The Healthy Fun Fair is a special day about community and partnership,” said Campus Director Tammy Riley. “National College students, alongside the professional medical community, partner to provide a fun environment that promotes health education and delivers free medical services.”
Beginning at 10 am, area residents arrived at the campus and could make their way through a variety of information booths and treatment rooms. Among others, the “D.O.’s on the Go” from the Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine conducted a variety of diagnostic services; National College nursing students calculated BMI (body mass index) and took blood pressure readings; Highlands Regional Hospital provided blood laboratory screenings for lipids and blood sugar/A1C (with blood draws performed by National College nursing, medical assisting, and phlebotomy students); Big Sandy Health Care offered a mobile dental clinic; and the YMCA conducted Zumba classes on site. Many more organizations provided information and services, all free of charge.
One of the highlights of the day was a simulated ATV accident – an all-too-common occurrence in rural Kentucky. Local first responders demonstrated first aid and patient transport techniques, while two medical evacuation helicopters, one each from Questcare and Transtar, landed at the campus in a display of their advanced capabilities for rushing patients to area trauma centers and hospitals in the event of dire need.
Medical assisting student Kristen Daniels was one of many student volunteers. “I had so much fun!” she exclaimed afterwards. “I know I helped every person who walked away from me that day…some were relieved, and others knew that they needed to make an appointment with their family doctor.”
While many of the youngsters in attendance might not have understood the value of the various medical services, they definitely enjoyed the games, inflatables, water slide, and dunking booth. Even a youth-oriented class conducted by the U.S. Army was a big hit, with kids following along closely as Sergeant Landon Huffman, Army recruiter and National College student, talked about the problem of bullying and what kids could do about it.
“This year our participation focused on educating both parents and children of the dangers and signs of bullying,” said the U.S. Army’s Sergeant First Class David Hotelling, one of several National College alumni who returned to the campus to help with the event. “It was a great opportunity for us to reach out to the public and show the Army cares,” SFC Hotelling continued. “Hot button issues in our communities certainly affect our Army, and any opportunity we have to help with these issues, we certainly will.”
Months of hard work and preparation by our many sponsors and vendors, as well as National College students, faculty, and staff, produced a memorable event that positively affected the lives of many members of our community. National College nursing student Misty Gallion perhaps summed it up best: “I had great day — what a wonderful way to educate the community on the importance of staying healthy!”
Complete Sponsor List
Big Sandy Health Care
Coca Cola Bottling
Highlands Regional Hospital
Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Pearson Learning Solutions
Pikeville Medical Center
Pleasant Valley Rebekah Lodge
Questcare
Signature Health Care
Thealka Fire Department
Transtar
Complete Vendor List
American General Life
Appalachian Pregnancy Care Center
Asthma and Allergy Center
Big Sandy Health Care
Coal Run Police
Highlands Regional Hospital
Kentucky Health Insurance Advocate
Kentucky Office for the Blind
Kentucky Highway Department
Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
Light the Night
McDonald’s
Medtronic
National Guard
Pearson Education
Pike County Emergency Management
Pike County Health Department
Pikeville Medical Center
Premier Health Care
Saving Grace
Signature Health Care
Sunrise Children Services
The Wellness Center
UK Extension
US Army
Wal-Mart
Xocai Chocolate
YMCA
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