FAMU CoPPS, IPH Peaden Campus Participates in Special Olympics Community Service Event

DeFuniak Springs, Florida - "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" – Martin Luther King Jr. The faculty, staff, and learners of the FAMU CoPPS, IPH consistently embrace that mindset.

Chenita Carter, PharmD | Division Director and Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice along with Madison Holmes, PharmD, BCPS | Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice from the Peaden Campus in Crestview, Florida recently participated in a community service event with several Peaden Campus learners.

 

Drs. Carter and Holmes with FAMU CoPPS, IPH pharmacy learners at the Special Olympics event in DeFuniak Springs, Florida.

On Saturday, April 5th, Dr. Carter, Dr. Holmes, P4 learners Lana Barfield, Kameryn Lewis, P2 learners Valerie Odum, Maegen Stifflemire, Ashley Hatfield, Madison Whiting, and P1 learner Austin Carrico, all participated in the Special Olympics Health Promotion event in DeFuniak Springs, Walton County, Florida.

Drs. Carter and Holmes are ‘all about smiles’ at the recent Special Olympics event.

There were an estimated 500 athletes competing in various sports including basketball, cycling, bocce ball [a bowling game of Italian origin played on a long narrow court (as of sand, clay, grass, or carpet) with bocce balls, which are rolled to stop as close as possible to a small target ball], and track. Volunteers assisted with providing athletes check-ins, blood pressure screenings, sun safety education, healthy foods counseling, and more.

 

FAMU CoPPS, IPH manned several stations and assisted many of the athletes at these various stations. The learners, Dr. Carter, and Dr. Holmes worked tirelessly to ensure the athletes had proper wellness, healthcare, advocacy, transparency (w.h.a.t.) and other guidance. It was an extremely rewarding opportunity, and they anticipate the next event. The Special Olympics Health Promotion event coordinators noted that they would not have had a successful event without their help. Of course, that is the FAMU CoPPS, IPH way: “helpers, one to the other.”