WVU Student Nurses’ Association hosts second annual Community Health Fair

The West Virginia University Student Nurses’ Association hosted its second annual Community Health Fair Nov. 4 at the WVU Recreation Center, welcoming members of the university community and beyond to learn more about holistic health and wellness.

Free and open to the public, the event offered a variety of resources, demonstrations, trainings and giveaways.

“We were really excited to share these resources and information with the public,” said SNA Secretary and Event Coordinator Catherine “Cat” Myers. “We reached out to a broad range of organizations to represent the holistic picture of health.”

Attendees could receive vital sign readings by student nurses, as well as vaccinations and Narcan training from the Monongalia County Health Department. Several student nurses offered sexual health education, while others offered a sensory activity featuring pasta making.

Dr. Tina Antill Keener demonstrated how meditation can alleviate stress and lower heart rate, and Marian Reven shared the mental and physical benefits of aromatherapy. Nutritionists offered information about healthy eating, as well as information about The Rack, a student food pantry.

The WVU Women’s Resource Center shared information about menstrual products and provided condoms. Behavioral Health Coordinator Layne Hitchcock shared information about BeWell’s mental health services for Health Sciences students.

“We hope we can better the health of our community,” Myers said. “That’s our goal as nurses and as a land-grant university, to take our information to the community.”