Student Updates

Solon Health Fair
Saturday, January 21st, students from the Academy of Student Pharmacists volunteered at the Solon Community Health Fair, held at the Solon Public Library. Students provided free health screenings that included a bone density test, blood glucose analysis, blood pressure and BMI screenings, and medication review. Healthy Habits of Solon, Iowa, sponsored the event.

Operation Immunization
Students from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy took part in a national campaign to raise awareness about immunizations while also increasing the number of adults receiving immunizations. "Operation Immunization: Pharmacy Student Pharmacists and Practitioners Protecting Public Health" was led by the UI chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP). UI pharmacy students held immunization clinics, partnering with Eastern Iowa retail pharmacies to administer immunizations and provide immunization information to the public.

OPERATION DIABETES
Students from the College offered free blood glucose screenings to the public as part of a nationwide effort to identify individuals at high risk of developing diabetes.

"Operation Diabetes" was launched by the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) and is sponsored by Rite Aid. In addition to providing glucose screening, the promotional campaign is designed to increase awareness of diabetes and the dangers associated with the disease.

Twenty UI pharmacy students were trained by Jenna Steffensmeier, a clinical pharmacist with the Veterans Affairs Iowa City Health Care System to administer the blood glucose screenings. Individuals who were identified as having high blood glucose levels received information for referral to their physicians.

KATY'S KIDS
ASP is also currently promoting Katy's Kids. They are in the process of gearing up for another round of visits to schools. These lessons include a video about medicine safety, and a visit from Katy the Kangaroo.

Blood Drive
ASP sponsored a College of Pharmacy Blood Drive on Monday, October 17, 2005. 38 units of whole blood were collected and 25 of them were new donors! All the blood collected will be used by patients at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. ASP also mentioned they grew in donations from last year.

Health Fair
ASP offered bone density screenings and Dermaview consultations at the faculty/staff UI health fair.  They shared a booth with the Dept of Pharmaceutical Care who provided poision information and offered a raffle with a cold/flu basket giveaway.

Class of 2009 Toys for Tots Program
The Class of 2009 collected new toys and games from the college of pharmacy students, faculty, and staff. their goal was to collect at least 109 toys (one for every member of their class).  On Friday, December 16, donations were taken to a site in the Iowa City area that participates in the Toys for Tots program.  The philanthropy chair of their class, Breanna Manders, organized the event.