Early this January, the Ross Medical Education Center campus in Bowling Green, Kentucky participated in the 4th Annual Health and Wellness Expo at the Sloan Convention Center with over 3000 in attendance. The event offered free screenings to the public such as blood pressure readings, blood sugar checks, body fat analyses, hands only CPR, posture screening, balance testing, pulmonary function tests, and vision screenings. It was an exciting and important event for the community and for Ross staff and students.
The Ross students from the Bowling Green campus were honored to have the opportunity to practice their skills by performing blood pressure checks for a variety of community members between the ages of eight and 70. They enjoyed interacting with the public as well as being able to serve them. Not just Ross students were present; staff and faculty made an appearance as well. Ross Medical Assistant program instructors, Mike Bishop and Sarah Beckner, as well as Kathy Conrad, the Assistant Campus Director of Admissions, and Betty Maddox, Office Assistant, all joined in on the fun and educational opportunity.
In addition to the screenings, there were exhibitions featuring cooking, senior fitness, dancing, hot yoga, line dancing. and jump rope teams. Every aspect of the event had an emphasis on living a healthy and active lifestyle. Also involved in the event was a team from Air Evac, an EMT unit and other important people in the community. As for the participation by the Ross Bowling Green Campus, students were overwhelmingly positive about the Expo. Katie Baldwin, a current Ross Medical Assistant student said, “it was cool to be able to get additional experience by offering the blood pressure checks.” Another student, Ashton Claywell, agreed saying, “it was neat and interesting to meet some doctors and learn what new offices were coming to Bowling Green. It also helped me see where I might want to work after graduation.”
It was a great experience for each of the students and staff members that were able to participate. They were able to practice their skills in blood pressure readings and also to interact with many of the other medical professionals that were in attendance. After such a wonderful day, the Ross campus in Bowling Green is already planning for next year’s Expo. As a campus they deeply value the opportunity to touch lives and build relationships in their community and this event was a perfect opportunity.