UK Pharmacy Students Host "Hearts for Kentucky" Health Fair in Morehead

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 21, 2014) — Students from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy’s Operation Heart Committee paired with faculty mentors from the UK Gill Heart Institute to host Hearts for Kentucky in Morehead.

UK pharmacy students offered free screenings for high blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol at four diffferent sites in Morehead. If the results were unfavorable, patients were asked to return to one of the sites the next day or advised to visit their primary care physician.

More than 25 pharmacy students and many pharmacists volunteered their time during spring break in order to make this event possible.

“We were proud to make such an impact. The community seemed to enjoy the health fair and were thankful for the information we provided them,” said Teia Brandenburg, a third-year pharmacy student and co-chair of the Operation Heart Committee.

Through the help of the committee, more than 230 people were screened during the event.  Approximately 30 of them were referred to their primary care physician for further testing. Students and faculty alike counseled residents about healthy habits to lower high levels of blood pressure, blood glucose, or cholesterol, all of which are factors in Kentucky's biggest killers -- heart disease and stroke.

“We were extremely pleased by the turnout, ” said Brandenburg. "It was really satisfying to provide tangible opportunities for residents of this community to improve their overall health."