Displaced nursing students from the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans are offering free health exams in Free Speech Alley today as part of their community health course.
Screenings begin at 9:30 a.m. They will check blood pressure, body fat analysis and eyesight.
“This will basically be a free clinic,” said Brant Langlinais, nursing senior and team leader for the project.
Langlinais said each person’s health screening should take no longer than 15 to 20 minutes.
Referrals will be sent to the Student Health Center for follow-ups, if necessary. The nursing students will not keep a record of the medical exams.
“They’ll keep their sheet with all their info on it,” said Stephanie Pierce, assistant nursing professor and community health instructor.
The community health course that all nursing seniors take requires projects such as today’s health screenings.
Community health course students also screened Hurricane Katrina evacuees at the Baton Rouge River Center’s temporary Red Cross shelter, which closed last week.
They partnered with LSU medical students to create the LSU Health Sciences Center Multi-Specialty Clinic on North Boulevard, a walk-in clinic for evacuees that is still open.
“We have our hand in a lot of fires,” Pierce said.
Those who participate will learn how to test themselves for health risks, such as cancerous lumps. Educational handouts will also be provided.
Pierce said the purpose of community health course projects is to promote healthy living and disease prevention in an atmosphere where students can care for patients.
Contact Chris Day at [email protected]