Community health and primary disease prevention are central themes at PLU’s School of Nursing (SoN). Their recent event in Lakewood showcased their commitment to promoting the health of community children.
PLU SoN organized a pop-up sports physical and wellness check clinic at Dr. Claudia Thomas Middle School on March 29. On the day of the clinic, PLU Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students set up an after-school clinic to prepare middle school students for the sports season.
Senior BSN student Olivia Tate explained, “We processed medical histories, acquired vitals, weights, heights, and conducted vision exams.” The PLU DNP students then performed comprehensive physical assessments and provided health education to the students.
This event went beyond just sports physicals. It demonstrated the importance of primary disease prevention through community engagement. Dr. Carrie Ann Matyac, PLU’s Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program lead and faculty supervisor for the clinic, noted, “Sometimes these kids might not have access to healthcare; we don’t know when they’ve last seen a provider.” BSN student Jennifer Herrera added, “Since these events often run right after school hours, it’s beneficial to students whose parents are not available to take them to an appointment or for those who don’t have access to primary healthcare.”
These community events benefit both the patients and PLU’s SoN students by providing real-world experience in community health and pediatric care. Tate mentioned, “Our nursing program currently only allots two twelve-hour shifts for pediatric care, which is inadequate and does not prepare students sufficiently in pediatric care skills.” Herrera echoed this sentiment, stating, “During clinicals, we get minimal outpatient experience, and I think that doing these sports physicals is an additional opportunity to get more experience similar to that in an outpatient clinic.”
The impact of these clinics was evident at Dr. Claudia Thomas Middle School. One student, who remained anonymous for privacy reasons, said, “My parents work a lot and don’t always have time to take me to the doctor, so having you guys here makes things ten times easier.”
These clinical events occur multiple times each semester at various schools in the community. They are free for students and parents, providing a convenient way for children to see a provider. Events like these highlight how PLU and its School of Nursing are dedicated to centering and supporting the community.
