News

First-year professional pharmacy students from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville promoted healthy habits and literacy to nearly 9,000 area children this spring. For the ninth consecutive year, 80 SIUE students participated in the community service event.

SIUE students visited nearly 500 pre-kindergarten through third grade classrooms throughout Madison and St Clair counties. They prepared and delivered 30-minute presentations on topics like poison prevention, proper nutrition and physical activity, and preventing the spread of germs.

“Our students were able to reinforce their presentation and communications skills,” said Kate Newman, clinical assistant professor in the SIUE School of Pharmacy. “They practice taking a complex topic and distilling it down to the most important items, then delivering that message at an appropriate level. It’s similar to the role of a pharmacist when counseling patients about complicated disease states and medication regimens.”

This year, participants incorporated a children’s book into every presentation. Thanks to a generous donation from the Meridian Society, nearly 1,200 books were given to children in area Head Start programs at the completion of the presentations.

“The students’ presentations reinforced topics presented in the Head Start curriculum in a fun and interactive way,” said Denise Brown, health services program coordinator with SIUE Head Start. “The donated books will support emerging literacy skills, as well as encourage one-on-one time between a parent, or other adult, and the child.”

“We strive to leave a lasting impression on area grades school children about the importance of staying healthy,” added Newman. “This program serves as an opportunity for our students to grow and learn, while instilling the importance of giving back to the community.”