SIUE School of Pharmacy Screens More Than 400 During Community Blood Pressure Event
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy students and faculty traveled to businesses in Edwardsville and Glen Carbon Friday offering blood pressure checks to employees. The group, comprised of 12 faculty members and 32 students, conducted screenings on 426 individuals during the four-hour community service event.
“We reached people who don’t have the time or the inclination to visit traditional health fair events,” said Dr. Christopher Lynch, clinical programs director and professor at SIUE. “This reverse health fair goes to where the people are and gives them valuable information about their health.
“Participating businesses benefit through hopefully having a healthier and better educated workforce. SIUE School of Pharmacy students benefit by gaining valuable experience in caring for members of the public and in practicing their blood pressure measurement technique.”
According to Lynch, more than half of people with high blood pressure are not aware that they have the disease. The goal of this event was to provide blood pressure readings and explain what the results meant. 
School of Pharmacy participants then provided counseling on healthy lifestyle choices that can improve heart health.
“A man in his late twenties had not had his pressure taken since he was a child,” explained Lynch. “His reading was notably high and he was immediately referred for care with his physician.
“Another man received high results at our event last year. Since then, he had followed our advice about diet and exercise, and partnered with his primary care provider to lose more than 60 pounds. His blood pressure reading this year was ideal.”
This is the second year the School has staged this initiative as a way to give back to the community. The School partnered with the City of Edwardsville and the Village of Glen Carbon to coordinate the successful event.
Photos: (Top) Robert Plumber, owner of RP Lumber, recieves a blood pressure screening from SIUE School of Pharmacy student Kassandra Moore.
(Bottom) Glen Carbon Chief of Police Todd Link is being checked by SIUE School of Pharmacy student Dominic Messina.
