The University of Georgia organized the inaugural Normaltown Community Health Fair on April 9 to engage with the local residents of the Health Sciences Campus and showcase health and wellness resources.
A multidisciplinary group of students and faculty, including members from the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Social Work, and other areas, facilitated interactive discussions and activities throughout the event.
“It was genuinely uplifting to welcome so many individuals from our community, including those from Normaltown and the surrounding campus, to the Health Science Campus for this first event,” remarked Marcia Davis, dean of the College of Public Health. “Our faculty and students were honored to present their work and connect with others, emphasizing the vital role of public health in disease prevention and promoting well-being at the community level. Celebrating this engagement during National Public Health Week added even more significance and served as a reminder of how robust communities create healthier futures.”
Participants received blood pressure assessments from pharmacy students, engaged in stress management breathing techniques led by social work students, and discovered healthy lifestyle options provided by medical and public health students. Expanding beyond conventional health care, staff from the Georgia Museum of Art showcased their complimentary yoga classes and Morning Mindfulness programs, along with the museum’s resources available for Athens residents.
Participants engage during the Community Health Fair at the Health Sciences Campus. (Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
The fair also showcased designs for the new Medical Education and Research Building. Construction on the 92,000-square-foot facility, backed by $50 million in state funding and over $50 million in private contributions, is set to commence in May. Expected to be completed in December 2026, the building will facilitate UGA’s new School of Medicine.
“The University of Georgia possesses a long-standing dedication to service and outreach. The new School of Medicine signifies an exciting opportunity for future collaborations that will serve our campus and community alongside many of our colleagues from various schools and colleges who have been actively involved in this significant work,” stated Dr. Shelley Nuss, dean of the Medical Partnership and founding dean of the School of Medicine.
Younger attendees were encouraged to partake in games where they estimated the sugar content of various foods and had the chance to visit the Athens Free Clinic’s medical van, which provides primary care throughout Athens. UGA students and faculty also focused on healthy eating practices — offering fruits and nuts for guests to enjoy — and discussed methods for community members to avert illnesses.
“Health, particularly public health, is vital,” asserted Gwen O’Looney, a resident of the neighboring Cobbham area who attended the fair. “Preventative health is the key, and this event is a step toward prevention.”
The article Health Fair connects community with UGA resources first appeared on UGA Today.