Originally Released: April 23, 2001
Contact: Jennifer McGinley, mcginley@som.umaryland.edu, 410-706-1521

MEDICAL STUDENTS HOST COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR

Medical students from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins University will host their 6th annual Community Care Initiative, a community health fair on Saturday, April 28 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. The event will be held in Waverly, in the 400 block of 32nd Street, between Barclay and Greenmount. It will be held in cooperation with a local clinic, People's Community Health Center, and the Maryland Chapter of the American College of Physicians.

More than 200 students have been involved in planning the event. Its purpose is to heighten awareness of common health problems among community members, increase access to primary care services and enable the students to learn more about a medically underserved community.

Free screenings and information will be available on blood pressure, cancer, pre-natal care, alcohol and substance abuse, smoking cessation, vision, diabetes and asthma. There will also be activities for children, giveaways, and a free jazzercise class.

"This community health fair will be a great opportunity to help an underserved community to receive increased access to health care and information," says Warren Gasper, a second year student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and health fair coordinator. "It has also been a great experience for us because this is a joint effort with Hopkins and the People's Community Health Center, and we are all working toward a common goal."

"I am very proud of everyone involved in this project," says Philip A. Mackowiak, M.D., professor and vice chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and student advisor for the Community Care Initiative. "Our medical students are seeing first-hand the importance of serving the community."

People who would like more information can call 410-467-6040, ext. 239.

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