Date: Nov. 17, 2010
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

PNC Nursing Students Present Health Fair at Marquette HS

Westville – Registered nurses who are students in the Purdue University North Central Department of Nursing Bachelor's degree program Community Health Nursing class will present a free health fair for the students of Marquette High School in Michigan City on Nov. 30 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The fair's theme is SAFETY: Self Awareness for Every Teen, YES!!! By presenting this fair, nursing students are able to have a clinical experience as well as an opportunity to learn about community outreach and how to meet the health education needs of the adolescent population, under the clinical direction of Peggy Rose, PNC assistant professor of Nursing.

The fair will include interactive activities and displays that will provide information on health topics important to teens. The PNC students surveyed the Marquette High School to determine the topics they would like to see addressed at the health fair and the top three interests were stress, sleep and diet and nutrition.

Students will have the opportunity to browse exhibits, pick up information, ask questions and participate in learning activities and demonstrations.

The fair participants include:

American Red Cross – will present information on disaster preparedness

Jazzercise, of Michigan City - will have an interactive exercise demonstration

Al's Groceries – will offer information and examples of healthy foods and nutrition

St. Anthony Memorial Hospital – will provide information on foods and nutrition and cancer prevention

Michigan City Fire Department – will share useful safety information

Indiana State Police - will have interactive driving safety activities

PATH (Positive Approach to Teen Health), of Valparaiso - will present information on making healthy choices through abstinence from drugs, alcohol, relationship violence and sexual activity outside of marriage

Portage Police Department – will share information about drug awareness

Samaritan Center – will offer insights to help with stress reduction and enjoying good mental health

Patsy Gately Massage – will have massages and stress reduction tips

Flavia Cheng, PNC student – will demonstrate tai chi and yoga.

The guest speaker is Dr. Trish Mooney from the Samaritan Center. She will discuss awareness based thinking - being aware of how choices and actions affect us and others. There will be time for students to ask questions.

Further information about this fair may be obtained by contacting Peggy Rose at (219)-785-5706.