BCCC Students and Faculty Lead Way at B’More Healthy Expo

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— BCCC faculty and students were well represented at the 8th annual B’More Healthy Expo on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Sponsored by Fox45, the event provides area residents the chance to obtain free health screenings and participate in interactive exhibits, exercises and family-oriented health activities.

“The Expo is a great way to get the message out about BCCC’s excellent health programs,” said Dorothy N. Holley, M.S., RN, associate dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions.

More than 20 students from the BCCC Nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant, Dental Hygiene, and Respiratory Care Programs joined faculty and staff to talk to attendees about subjects ranging from healthy eating to teaching seniors how to prevent falls.

Students from the Respiratory Care Program asked trivia questions related to participants’ knowledge of asthma and smoking cessation, said Shelly Dobbins, B.S., RRT, RCP, director of clinical education for the program.

Debra Parson, PT, D.P.T., assistant professor and clinical coordinator in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, looked on as her students had participants stand on air-filled disks to test their balance. “We spend so much time sitting,” said Parson. “We want to encourage people to play as a family.” Expo participants were also asked to spin a wheel featuring several categories of exercises like jumping jacks. Those who successfully completed their tasks won prizes.

BCCC physical therapist assistant and nursing students regularly work in tandem with staff and patients at the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital in Northwest Baltimore. “Our graduates make a difference in people’s lives,” Parson said. “We can restore those we work with to their former selves.”

BCCC health programs partner with Johns Hopkins, LifeBridgeHealth, the University of Maryland, Mercy Medical Center, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, and other major health institutions in Maryland.