Students in Marian University’s Nursing and Community Health and Human Services programs have partnered with Anthem Blue Cross and Shield to deliver healthy resources to the community’s low income population served by The Salvation Army. Students from two courses titled “Understanding Poverty” and “Health Promotion, Wellness, and Safety Across the Lifespan” are working with the Salvation Army to promote healthy lifestyles. The Health Hot Spot resource kiosk is the newest in a series of collaborations focused on delivering healthy living strategies to Fond du Lac community members living below the poverty line. “We are thrilled to grow in partnership with Anthem and Marian University, who both believe in providing a valuable community service that gives students an environment to develop their skills,” Director of Services at The Salvation Army Ron Jacobson said. Located inside The Salvation Army Fellowship Hall at 237 N Macy St., The Health Hot Spot is “open” to Fond du Lac County residents Monday and Friday, 10 am to Noon and Wednesday. 9:30 to 11:30 am and 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Students deliver free health assessments and medical screenings (e.g. blood pressure examinations and glucose tests), answer health questions and provide samples of easy-to-make nutritious recipes. Anthem Blue Cross and Shield provides handouts that Health Hot Spot visitors take away with them to implement healthy living strategies. Fond du Lac County residents in need benefit from The Hot Spot and the free resources and tools it offers. Students, meanwhile, gain valuable perspective by learning first-hand the healthcare needs of the community’s vulnerable. Moreover, students serve alongside peers from different learning disciplines and they gain insight into how to work together and combine their different education perspectives to address a client’s need. In addition to the Health Hot Spot, the Community Health and Human Services students served a meal at the Salvation Army Warming Shelter on March 6. Students provided supplies, prepared and served the meal, and ate while conversing with the clients at the warming shelter.
