Lourdes Center for Public Health Patient Education Kayla McDaniel Bryn Mawr ‘ Summer Symposium

Waiting Room Education Series  I organized weekly education series in Osborn Family Health Clinic. Three of the other interns assisted me with the education series in two week rotations.  Topics covered included: Reach Out and Read in Pediatrics Stress Management Preconception Education Breastfeeding Diabetes and Nutrition Children’s Hygiene and Safety  This project introduced me to the challenges and rewards associated with educating a vulnerable, low income population about public health issues. I gained many insights during this summer including how to best grab patients’ attention, which health topics garnered the most interest, and which methods are most effective for disseminating information.

Health Fairs  Environmental Health Education Fair (7/15/11): This fair focused on educating the Camden population regarding the large amounts of pollution in the community and negative repercussions this can have on their health. Organizations present included:  American Association for Cancer Research  New Jersey Environmental Federation and Work Environment Council  Hispanic Family Center’s Pediatric Asthma Prevention Program  Southern Jersey Perinatal Cooperative’s Wipe Out Lead campaign  Healthy Lifestyles Fair (8/10/11): This fair emphasized nutrition and exercise with an array of other health topics represented. I applied for and received an OLLMC Community Benefits Mini Grant to fund the fair. Organizations present included:  Breastfeeding/ Infant health  Bridge  Camden County Women’s Center  Diabetes ABC  Eve’s Garden  Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies  Hepatitis B/C  Hispanic Family Center  Life at Lourdes  Lourdes Nutrition Department  Prepare for Surgery  Lourdes Wellness Center   YMCA

Rotations  Assisted Bing with administering breast feeding surveys in the waiting room  Translated Prepare for Surgery Script for Wholistic Nurse Coleen Naylor  Translated documents for Community Health Practice  Helped Ingrid with surveys with the Project H.O.P.E Mobile Health Van.  Participated in Senior Services Surveys

Conclusions  191 people were reached through the waiting room education series and health fairs.  This internship showed me the important role education plays in empowering people to take a more active role in maintaining their own health.  It gave me the the opportunity to interact with patients, Lourdes’ hospital associates, and community organizations.  I also acquired event planning and organizational skills through preparation for the health fairs. The health fairs allowed me to become familiar with the different organizations in Camden and the services they provide to the community.