Students studying to become doctors of osteopathic medicine at PCOM Georgia will offer free blood pressure checks to the public and flu shots for the uninsured during events this weekend.
Blood pressure checks
PCOM Georgia DO students, along with faculty members, will take blood pressure readings and distribute blood pressure information from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at the Jolly Holly Day at Suwanee Town Center in downtown Suwanee.
“I am excited to accompany our medical students and mobile simulation ambulance to Jolly Holly Day this year,” said the new dean of medicine at PCOM Georgia, Andrea Mann, DO, FAAP. “Our students will be offering information and free blood pressure checks to the citizens of Suwanee. Additionally, we will be showcasing several of our lifelike high-fidelity medical training mannequins in our very own PCOM Georgia Simbulance.”
The Simbulance, also known as the PCOM Georgia Mobile Medical Education Lab, will be available for tours, while arts and crafts activities will be provided for children during the Suwanee event.
Sahara Peters (DO ’24), a second year DO student, is coordinating the event.
“We hope to become a trusted resource in the Suwanee community,” she said.
According to Alexander Christianson (DO ’24), “As medical students in Gwinnett County, I believe it is our duty to serve those around us by teaching our community members simple practices that they can implement in their daily lives like blood pressure checks.”
Brittany Henderson (DO ’24) added, “Part of PCOM Georgia’s mission is community wellness and blood pressure checks are a way we can offer our services. Blood pressure monitoring is important for early detection of risky diseases that can affect areas like the heart and kidneys. We’re excited to offer this service.”
Flu shots
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, PCOM Georgia HEARTS Club members will work with Walgreens and the Lawrenceville Cooperative Ministry to administer free flu shots to the uninsured. The co-op is at 52 Gwinnett Drive, Suite C, in Lawrenceville. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. Click here to sign up.
Prachi Patel (DO ’24), the HEARTS Clinic student director, said, “Through our flu clinics this year, we not only hope to provide free flu shots to the uninsured in our community, but also raise awareness about healthy practices to those around us. Oftentimes people are unaware of the healthcare resources that are available to them, so PCOM HEARTS Georgia hopes to diminish that gap by providing these resources through our clinic. Our goal is to provide basic medical needs and educate our patient population with the help of PCOM Georgia’s medical students.”
About PCOM Georgia
PCOM Georgia is a private, not-for-profit, accredited institute of higher education dedicated to the health care professions and was established in 2005. The Suwanee campus is affiliated with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy, as well as graduate degrees in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. For more information on PCOM Georgia, click here.
