Hundreds attend WesternU’s Health and Wellness Fair, Trunk or Treat event
Western University of Health Sciences hosted a Community Health and Wellness Fair Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in partnership with Healthy in Pomona. The fair featured more than 70 community organizations and health services, children’s activities, and prizes and giveaways.
WesternU had more than 180 student volunteers and clinical faculty preceptors performing health screenings. The fair received additional assistance through undergraduate student volunteers from UC Riverside, Cal State Long Beach and Cal Poly Pomona.
Helen Musharbash, director of Educational Partnership and Outreach in WesternU’s Center for Academic Community Engagement, helped spearhead this event with Healthy in Pomona, as one of the committee’s co-chairs.
“Hosting this Community Health and Wellness Fair at WesternU has been a vision in the making,” said Musharbash. “With the variety of health professions programs at WesternU, what better way to showcase them than welcoming our community to campus and providing as many services and resources as possible.”
Musharbash said the dedication and commitment of WesternU’s graduate health professions students and clinical faculty were key to the event’s success.
“We collectively worked together to determine the most needed services in our community and successfully provided them, while ensuring referral processes were in place at each health screening booth,” she said. “Additionally, it was a great way to connect WesternU with other nonprofits and health care organizations across Pomona, continuing the power of partnerships and meeting the needs of our community.”
The College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) performed OMM and cholesterol screenings, the College of Dental Medicine (CDM) performed oral hygiene screenings, the College of Graduate Nursing performed blood pressure and BMI screenings, the College of Pharmacy administered flu vaccines and tested for bone density, the College of Optometry performed visions screenings, the College of Health Sciences Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program performed fall risk assessments and flexibility, strength and mobility assessments, and the College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM) performed diabetic foot screenings.
There were plenty of kid-friendly activities, too. CDM hosted face painting and pumpkin painting, the DPT program hosted birdhouse making, there was a coloring station and pumpkin workout station led by COMP Wellness Coordinator Crystal Rivera
The fair also hosted several presentations. The California Health Collaborative presented on breast and cervical cancer, Tri-City Mental Health presented on stress management and relief, and Project Resilience presented on human trafficking and trauma.
WesternU CPM Professor Stephen Wan, DPM, presented on diabetes and foot health. NAMI Pomona Valley presented on ending the silence (mental health), and Project Sister Family Services presented on Internet Safety.
Eva Thiel-Maiz from Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis’ office recognized WesternU in its efforts to give back to the community.
The campus also held a Trunk or Treat event hosted by the WesternU Pediatric Interest Group (club). Students from COMP, DPT, CDM, and MSMS programs participated by wearing costumes and adding fun Halloween themes to their cars and trunks. Youngsters attending the fair and the community dressed in costumes, went from trunk to trunk enjoying the students’ enthusiasm and treats.
