PRESQUE ISLE – Northern Maine Community College nursing students recently presented their annual health fair for the community at the Fall and Winter Expo in Presque Isle Sept. 27-28. In support of the nursing program and its students, The Aroostook Medical Center donated a $400 scholarship award for the team of students with the best health fair display.
Judging of the exhibits was conducted by Lynn Turnbull, TAMC vice president of nursing services, Bruce Sandstrom, TAMC senior vice president of finance and NMCC Foundation board member, and Vicki Smith, NMCC Foundation board member. They judged the displays based on visual appeal and presentation, creativity, suitability for multi-age groups, use of educational aids, as well as the students’ ability to engage and explain their topics.
“The students were exceptionally creative in presenting community health education for individuals across the lifespan,” said Turnbull, who also serves as a board member of the Maine State Board of Nursing. “I was very impressed with their eagerness to get people involved, as most booths had interactive methods of teaching and learning for both adults and children. This was a great opportunity for the students to demonstrate their knowledge and they truly showed their potential as future caregivers.”
The award was presented to the team of Megan McHatten and Kelley McLaughlin of Presque Isle, and Damon Stone and Heidi Warman of Houlton, whose health display topic addressed the benefits of activity.
Over 40 students enrolled in the third semester of the associate degree nursing program prepared 11 educational displays with subjects including seasonal affective disorder, nutrition and exercise, frostbite prevention and treatment, hypothermia prevention and treatment, winter sports safety, ergonomics and back safety, stress management, common winter illnesses, substance abuse, and fall and winter driving safety.
“The generous award donated by TAMC was an unexpected and welcome bonus for the students selected by the judges,” said NMCC nursing instructor Eileen McDougal. “All four students indicated the scholarship money will be a great help toward college-related expenses.”
The health fair was added to the nursing curriculum to provide the senior students with an opportunity to plan and present a structured teaching project in a public health format.
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
THE GROUP OF NORTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE nursing students who won $100 each for having the best health fair display during their Community Fair at the Fall and Winter Expo are, front row, from left: Kelly McLaughlin, Heidi Warman and Damon Stone. Congratulating the winning team are, back row, from left: judges Lynn Turnbull and Bruce Sandstrom of The Aroostook Medical Center, and NMCC nursing instructors Paula Flora, Kim Esquibel, Betty Kent-Conant and Eileen McDougal. Absent when the photo was taken was nursing student Megan McHatten and judge Vicki Smith.
