 Site Index
|
Lowcountry Area Health Education Center
302 Medical Park Drive,
Suite 110
Walterboro, SC 29488
To contact us,
you can either
E-mail us or
give us a call at
(843) 782-5052
|
Changing the Shape of South Carolina
Emily Warren, LMSW, Health Professions Student Coordinator,
Lowcountry AHEC
On March 30, 2007 the South Carolina Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity along with many other partners sponsored the first annual Obesity Prevention Conference in Columbia, SC.
Dr. Margo Wootan, Nutrition Director for Science in the Public Interest, and Steven Blair, Professor at the USC Arnold School of Public Health, were the keynote speakers. They, along with a variety of state experts, presented an interactive and engaging look at how schools, communities, and workplaces are overcoming barriers to physical activity and nutrition. Emily Warren, Lowcountry AHEC Health Professions Student Coordinator, and Marilyn Peters, Clemson Extension Food & Safety Nutrition Agent, made a presentation on C.O.A.C.H. (Coalition Organized to Address Children's Health) entitled, "Community Approaches to Prevent Obesity Through Developing Community, Coalitions".
C.O.A.C.H. was formed through the efforts of multiple community collaborators in October of 2003. C.O.A.C.H.'s vision and mission are the establishment of community environments that promote and support healthy lifestyles through the improvement of the health of children and their families by preventing weight problems and related chronic diseases.
Ms. Warren discussed the collaboration between students who participate in both C.O.A.C.H. and SCRIPT (South Carolina Rural Interdisciplinary Program of Training). Since 2004, the SCRIPT students have actively participated with the C.O.A.C.H. program as part of of their community-based health promotion activities. The students primarily worked on improving the nutrition environment and improving the physical environment. Students explored the Rails to Trails Program and Share the Road Signs to promote bike safety. The students also created Walterboro Walks, a brochure detailing the available walking/biking trails in Walterboro. In 2006, the students focused on improving the nutrition environment by reaching out to the community via education screening at the Walterboro Farmers Market.
|
|
Lowcountry Coalition for Health Careers Launches Lunch Buddy Program
Toni Rehkop, Co-Chair, Lowcountry Coalition for Health Careers
The Lowcountry Coalition for Health Careers, in partnership with the Beaufort Memorial Hospital, initiated
a pilot Lunch Buddy Program at Mossy Oaks Elementary School in Beaufort, SC on March 16, 2007. Eleven
5th grade students who are considered “at risk” were selected to participate in the program. An “at risk”
student is defined as one who is performing poorly in the areas of reading and math, or consistently does not
complete or submit homework assignments. The 5th grade teachers of Mossy Oak Elementary School were
instrumental in identifying the student participants. In order to not interfere with instructional class time, the
10-week Lunch Buddy Program takes place weekly during the students’ regularly scheduled 40-minute lunch
period. Beaufort Memorial sponsors a healthy lunch provided during the meeting time for the participants
and guests.
The Lunch Buddy Program provides small group discussions between students and practicing health
care workers. Each meeting includes a minimum of 2 health care professionals and the school’s guidance
counselor. The Coalition’s goal in implementing the Lunch Buddy Program is to support the preparation
of middle school students for entry into the health professions pipeline of South Carolina by establishing
role model relationships, promoting academic and professional goal setting, and increasing health career
awareness.
At the first meeting, the students were asked what their first thoughts were when they were told they
would be attending this meeting. The responses were eye opening and included, “I wondered what I did
wrong”, “why did I get picked, I’m not smart”, and “I must of gotten in trouble again”. As a group, they read
and discussed the book “The Eagles Who Thought They Were Chickens”, by Mychael Wynn. The students’
professional goals were also discussed and the responses included everything from lawyer to paintball
shooter. The students who shared unrealistic careers choices were asked to think of something else they
would like to do if their first choice could not support them or did not require further schooling. The
students were provided with a journal and were encouraged to make daily entries about something that
was accomplished or learned that day. Personal choices were explored, and the students were challenged to
complete and submit their homework each day.
At the second meeting, students shared an entry from their journals and reported if they had submitted
their homework during the past week. The school’s guidance counselor has participated in each meeting
and offered a few words in support of the day’s topic. Future meetings will include playing math and science
games from Making the Link by Lisa King, Ed.S., LPC and continued interaction with the guest role models.
For more information on the Lowcountry Coalition for Health Careers, please visit: www.lowcountryrc.org.
——— — ———
The regional “Coalition for Health Careers”
activities described in this section are
made possible by a grant from
The Duke Endowement. |
|
