On January 15th 2011 our local APhA-ASP chapter extended out our helpful hands to the St. James Food Pantry in Downtown Chicago. There we helped to further public health as well as an overall sense of well-being. Med-safety booth was in attendance informing on possible hazards with our medications at home. The public favorite, Operation Heart was there giving free blood pressure readings. Also in attendance was Operation Diabetes screening the publics’ blood sugar for possible diabetes. If we did have any newly diagnosed diabetics or even anyone wanting to learn more on diabetes nutrition CHAT was there to inform the public on these issues. The Chicago College of Dental Medicine was also there to promote proper dental hygiene and handed out free toothbrushes to the public. Everyone added a helping hand anywhere needed including serving this community by preparing bags of food for the the food pantry, which occurs monthly.
APhA-ASP Midwestern
On Friday, October 15 APhA-ASP student pharmacists got up extra early to partake in DANCE FRIDAY at NBC Chicago Studios. Dan Glapa was interviewed on live tv and spread the word about our chapter and the pharmacy profession! After the interview it was time to DANCE!!!
October Community Health Clinic Visit
Each month APhA-ASP students will be returning to the Community Health Clinic in Chicago to give presentations and share knowledge with clinic patients. This month student pharmacists celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month by providing patients with information about the cancer and how to detect it.
Dr. Cornell receiving her President’s gavel from the past presidents of IPhA at the Illinois Pharmacist Associations 2010 Conference!
IPhA Annual Meeting
This year’s turn out at the IPhA annual meeting was successful to say the least. From Dr. Cornell becoming inducted as the IPhA president, to our very own Megan Kaiser placing third in the patient counseling competition, this year’s conference was simply unforgetable.
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Megan Kaiser posing for her 3rd place finish in this year’s IPhA Patient Counseling competition.
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Dr. Susan Cornell getting sworn in by her husband for her position as the IPhA president.
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So many MWU students were present at Dr. Cornell’s reception dinner to support her inauguration as IPhA President.
Downers Grove Passport to Safety Event
On Saturday, September 18th, Poison Prevention teamed up with the Downers Grove Police Department, Downers Grove Fire Department, Good Samaritan Hospital, and several other organizations in order to teach children and their parents about different types of safety. Each child received a passport (shown above) which they took to the 12 different booths and got a stamp after they successfully completed the activity at the booth. Once they got all 12 stamps, they got a prize.
At the Poison Prevention booth, children learned what a poison is, what kinds of things in their house are poisonous, what to do in case a poisoning occurs, the difference between medicine and candy, and what a pharmacist is. We also educated parents about the Poison Control Center and to call them at 1-800-222-1222 in case of a poisoning.
Children also got the opportunity to practice making 911 phone calls with the Downers Grove Police Department, as well as learn about different safety topics: first aid with the Downers Grove Fire Department, always wearing helmets while riding bikes with the Downers Grove Bicycle Club, water safety with the YMCA, how to make a fire exit plan with Liberty Mutual, what to do if you find a stray animal with the West Suburban Humane Society, bus safety with the First Student Bus Company, electricity safety with Underwriters Laboratories, and broken bones from Good Samaritan Hospital.
All in all, it was a fun day and hundreds of children and their families came in order to learn about safety and have fun while doing it!
Members in attendance: (pictured from left to right) Emahn Hassan, Sharlene Huang, Teri Strukl, Manali Shah, Marianne Pop (not pictured) Lisa Modelevsky
G.A.S.P. teaching 4th graders about asthma
On Thursday, September 16th, G.A.S.P. taught the 4th grade class at Marquette Manor Baptist Academy in Downers Grove about asthma. All the students were very attentive and answered many questions as they learned about the adventure of Professor Lionheart as the “Lion Who Could Not Roar.”
Several of the students had asthma and answered many questions.
The students learned what it felt like for someone having an asthma exacerbation by breathing through a straw.
Pharmacist Cacey taught Professor Lionheart how to use his inhaler to control his asthma.
Participants: Irene Botros, Cacey Mitz, and Sarah Slater
“Health Age” Event at Woodfield Mall
On Saturday, September 11, 2010, APhA-ASP student pharmacists teamed up with volunteers from Alexian Brothers Hospital and the Elgin Seventh Day Adventist Church to help Woodfield Mall shoppers determine their “health age.”
Svetlana Kostyukova and Janet Umunna test out the blood pressure machines before the shoppers arrive for the event.
Nicole Crosby and Marianne Pop shared with guests the importance of drinking enough water and using proper hand washing techniques.
Jateen Jivan, Priya Hingu, Brandon Baty, Francine Mercene, and Katie Ciszewski offered information about relaxation and the benefits of sleep. They also provided massages for shoppers.
Danielle Paz and Sandy Naegele helped shoppers determine their Body Mass Index. They also provided nutrition information and showed guests what five pounds of fat looks like.
Addison Health Fair Event
On Wednesday, August 4, APhA-ASP members volunteered at a Health Fair in Addison, Il.
Student pharmacists performed blood glucose screenings for over one-hundred senior citizens at the event.
Student pharmacists also helped draw up needles for flu shots.
Participants included: Allyson Greenberg, Meghan Lee, David Morrill, Sandy Naegele, Danielle Paz, Lindy Quarterman, Abbey Siegler, and Rob Stachowicz
Special thanks to Dr. Stensland for organizing this event!
Operation Diabetes Event
On August 15, 2010, Operation Diabetes screened the Chicago Community for diabetes at the Saint Philip Neri Street Fair. Four of Midwestern’s very own (Michelle Yu, Jacqueline Hartford, Rachael Pullin, and Ryan Szynkarek) screened over forty people and educated them on diet, exercise, and diabetes managment. Overall, the event was a great opportunity for us students to help our community and fine tune our expertise as future pharmacists.
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Michelle Yu (retrained ON THE SITE) screening and helping one of the many that afternoon.
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Jacqueline Hartford obtaining a sample of this gentelmen’s blood using a lancet.
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Rachael Pullin taking full advantage of her break from rotations by volunteering and testing the blood sugar of a local girl who happens to be a current MWU Career Explorers Program Student.
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Ryan Szynkarek testing blood sugar and educating a patient on the importance of eating breakfast.
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Members in attendance:
Michelle Yu, Jacqueline Hartford, Rachael Pullin, Ryan Szynkarek
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