On January 19th the Chandler Park Academy School District (CPA), in an inspiring collaboration with Oakland University’s William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB), is set to transform its high school into a vibrant hub of health and wellness.
The 12th Annual Family & Community Health Fair, running from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, is a free event showcasing a unique blend of resources, expertise, and community spirit. It’s a rare opportunity for CPA’s medical and health career students and OUWB medical students to step beyond the classroom and into real-world application, engaging with the community they are preparing to serve.
Offering an array of free health screenings – including glucose, blood pressure, vision, and flu health checks, along with complimentary flu shots – this event is a lifeline for many. It brings under one roof over 19 community resources, featuring key players like CNS Healthcare, WSU Dermatology Group, American Indian Health & Family Services, and Dr. Nancy Treece, a renowned pediatrician. Aetna Better Health of Michigan also joins this impressive lineup, highlighting the collective effort to enhance community health.
The collaboration between Chandler Park Academy and Oakland University’s William Beaumont School of Medicine at the Annual Family & Community Health Fair is not just a service event; it’s a vital educational experience for students like Antoine Royal, a 12th grader and President of CPA’s H.O.S.A (Health Occupation Student Association) Chapter.
“I’m excited to have the experience to work alongside current health professionals, as it gives me and my peers hands on experience to the healthcare industry- while we are able to service our community,” said Royal. “It gives me a glimpse into the future of ways I can serve as well as a healthcare professional.”
Royal’s excitement about working alongside current health professionals captures the essence of this opportunity. It provides students with invaluable hands-on experience, allowing them to step into the roles they aspire to fill in the future. This immersive learning goes beyond textbooks and classrooms, offering a real-world understanding of the healthcare industry, its challenges, and its rewards. Such experiences are instrumental in shaping the perspective, skills, and confidence of these young aspiring professionals.
“Our program presents students with various areas in the medical field besides just a doctor or a nurse,” said Kelvin Wise, District Health Coordinator. “There are a variety of other career fields and options in the medical community so it’s my mission to expose them to other career fields they may not have thought of.”
For students at CPA, engaging in an event like the Health Fair is more than just a practical exercise; it’s a window into their future careers. Royal’s statement underscores the importance of such experiences in inspiring and informing students about the realities of healthcare professions. By working in tandem with established healthcare professionals, students gain insights into the nuances of patient interaction, the importance of community health, and the complexities of medical practice. This early exposure is crucial in helping students make informed decisions about their career paths and in preparing them for the demands and expectations of the healthcare industry.
Moreover, this hands-on experience serves a dual purpose: it benefits the students and profoundly impacts the community. As Antoine Royal keenly observes, it’s an opportunity for students to give back to their community while honing their skills. This reciprocal relationship fosters a sense of responsibility and community service among the students, ingraining in them the ethos of healthcare as a service to society. The Health Fair, therefore, becomes a platform not just for learning but also for contributing, reinforcing the idea that healthcare is as much about community well-being as it is about individual patient care. For these students, the experience at the Health Fair is an early foray into what will hopefully become a lifelong commitment to service in healthcare.
“We bring in a number of community organizations that provides medical services and resources for community members,” said Wise. “We will be offering free flu shots, free take home meals, and raffle prizes throughout the entire health fair.”
This health fair isn’t just about providing services; it’s a platform for education and empowerment. It’s about showing the Harper Woods/Chandler Park community the wealth of free health and wellness resources available right in their backyard. More importantly, it’s about hands-on experiences for the next generation of medical professionals and CPA students collaborating with OUWB, allowing them to present, educate, and connect with community members in meaningful ways.
About Post Author
