Food is Medicine (FiM) Initiative: the Educational Value of Community Projects for Medical Students Clinton Enos, MS3, Samantha Ngaw, MS3, Sora Song, MS3, Ana Vazquez, MD Food Is Medicine Initiative, Eastern Virginia Medical School Department of Family and Community Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Disclosures The authors have neither financial relationships nor received any financial incentives to give this presentation.

Introduction A better knowledge of the resources in our surrounding community can benefit the way we practice medicine and understand the influences on our patients’ lifestyles. This session addresses the issues what we faced in terms of engaging the community by promoting collaboration with relevant stakeholders, educating market customers to adopt healthier eating habits, having the educator buy into the idea of a behavior change, and the administrative complexity of creating a sustainable product for the community. Using our mobile market project as a model, we will discuss the valuable lessons learned in establishing a project in the community. We anticipate that attendees will learn about how this longitudinal learning experience for medical students, through focusing on student wellness, patient counseling, and community outreach, is structured for impact and sustainability.

Goals 1.Establish a 4-year longitudinal preventive medicine program focusing on nutrition and healthy eating that complements the current medical curriculum 2.Provide guidance to medical students for integrating prevention and education into their future practice 3.Empower students and the campus community to practice a healthy lifestyle by creating a culture of healthy eating on campus 4.Develop a sustainable community initiative that incorporates local government, non-profits, and community leaders

Evolution of FiM Lunch & Learn sessions Promote culture of healthy eating EVMS Eastern Virginia Medical School Food is Medicine Local Non-Profit Organization Five Points Community Farm Market Increase access to fresh produce on school campus and in community PROBLEM *Rates in Norfolk, VA: Overweight: 62.4% Obesity: 28.9% (In adults, ) PROBLEM *Rates in Norfolk, VA: Overweight: 62.4% Obesity: 28.9% (In adults, ) Sept 2013 *Healthy Norfolk Action Plan (

Public Health Department M1-M2: Lunch & Learn participation M4: projects in local health initiatives Community Physicians Cardiovascular Associates, Ltd. M1-M2: Lunch & Learn speakers, intro to nutrition M3-M4: research opportunities in nutrition

Apr 2014 EVMS & *CHKD Wellness Programs On-Campus Mobile Market M1-M2 focused: nutrition & health education at the market Underserved Local Community Tidewater Gardens M3-M4 focused: teach your patients Preventive medicine: Health screenings Health & nutrition education Assess needs of the community Local Government City Hall M4 focused: local government involvement Oct *Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters

Results EVMS FiM Lunch & Learn Average attendees: 44 (MD, Medical Master, PA, MPH, Art Therapy, PhD, Surgical Assist.) Survey: 29 respondents, 68% EVMS students 77% changed eating habits 81% changed perspective on healthy eating 89% likelihood of teaching patients about nutrition/healthy eating Lunch & Learn Average attendees: 44 (MD, Medical Master, PA, MPH, Art Therapy, PhD, Surgical Assist.) Survey: 29 respondents, 68% EVMS students 77% changed eating habits 81% changed perspective on healthy eating 89% likelihood of teaching patients about nutrition/healthy eating On-Campus Mobile Market Underserved Local Community Tidewater Gardens Total # transactions: 2055 Average transactions per week: 114 Total sales: $11, # Recipe sheets handed out: 75 Survey: 107 respondents, 11% students, 73% employees 79% used Mobile Market Total # transactions: 2055 Average transactions per week: 114 Total sales: $11, # Recipe sheets handed out: 75 Survey: 107 respondents, 11% students, 73% employees 79% used Mobile Market Screening events: 2 Students participated: 8 Total adults *screened: 53 *Blood pressure and blood glucose for adults, vision for children Screening events: 2 Students participated: 8 Total adults *screened: 53 *Blood pressure and blood glucose for adults, vision for children

Discussion Lunch-and-learn sessions: ●Strong attendance: seven health profession disciplines and EVMS staff ●Majority of attendees changed their perception, the way they ate, and were more motivated to talk to patients about healthy eating On-campus mobile farm market: ●Easier access to healthy foods for students, staff, and visitors ●Opportunity for peer teaching ●Initial popularity → drop in sales with approaching winter and reduced marketing efforts o Challenges being addressed in coming months o Continued strong support from faculty and students Tidewater Gardens: ●Two events trialed with total of 10 student volunteers ●Approximately 53 residents screened thus far Overall: ●Limited data collection due to lack of expertise and volunteers ●100% student-run allows flexibility and autonomy; official student responsibilities are of primary importance

Conclusions ●Improvement in student lifestyle potentially leads to an impact on patient lifestyle. ●There is a need for medical students to learn about healthy eating and have hands-on practice. ●Reach out to existing resources in the community before creating something new. ●Having student interest makes learning more meaningful and long-lasting.

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