On Saturday, October 5 the interprofessional health students of the Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars training program at UConn Health contributed once again to the longstanding Ollie M. Williams (OMW) Health and Wellness Fair at Thirman Miller Middle School in Hartford.

This is the 14th consecutive-year UConn Health students have supported the annual community event attended by hundreds of community members.

The UConn Health students helped administer free health care and screenings such as administering the pneumococcal vaccine, provided oral, blood pressure, and blood glucose checks, and health education about asthma triggers, oral hygiene, and the benefits of good nutrition and an active life style.

Preceptors overseeing the student care from UConn Health included: Dr. Victoria Massey, Dr. Nancy Wong, Dr. Kiran Lorick, Dr. Gary Rhule, and Dr. Bruce Gould.

“This event is an example of the value our strong academic-community partnership has in promoting better health for all of Connecticut’s citizens,” said Petra Clark-Dufner, director of CT AHEC. “No partnership better amplifies the power and strength of the unique academic-community partnership than the one with the Ollie M. Williams Community Organization.”

CT AHEC-based at UConn Health annually works with hundreds of partners statewide to address health disparities and promote better health outcomes for the state’s citizens.

“The amount of services and resources provided at Thirman Miller Middle School was amazing,” said Clark-Dufner.  “The focus of partners working in collaboration to provide early detection and prevention screenings was a beautiful thing to see.”