UConn Observes National Primary Care Week (Updated)

UConn medical student Jeanne Rolle and UConn dental student Lauren Dulieu staff the welcome station at the Mansfield Senior and Wellness Center during a National Primary Care Week community fair. (Nicole Davoren for UConn Health)
UConn medical student Abbie Doelher talks nutrition with a patient at a National Primary Care Week community health fair at the Hispanic Senior Center in Hartford. (Alexandra Turgeon for UConn Health)
UConn medical student Camillo Ferrari assists a patient with a form at the National Primary Care Week community health fair at the Hispanic Senior Center in Hartford. (Alexandra Turgeon for UConn Health)
UConn dental student Lisa Fredrickson educates a community member about sodium reduction and importance of reading nutrition labels during a community health fair at the Dixwell-Newhallville Senior Center. (Jason Funaro for UConn Health)
UConn medical student Joshua Jones and UConn nursing student Jamie McCurry provide nutrition counseling at a community health fair at the Mansfield Senior and Wellness Center. (Nicole Davoren for UConn Health)
UConn medical students Theresa Meotti and Meghan Wilson offer blood pressure screenings at the Mansfield Parks and Recreation, a National Primary Care Week community health fair site. (Sage Bagwell for UConn Health)
Quinnipiac University physician assistant student Jocelyn Early and a patient show off their muscles and some healthy vessels after a blood pressure screening at the Dixell-Newhallville Senior Center in New Haven. (Jason Funaro for UConn Health)
Primary Care Week at UConn traditionally begins with a retreat in the Berkshires. (Photo provided by Shannon McClure)

Interprofessionality—patient care from a team representing several disciplines working together—is the emphasis of UConn’s observance of National Primary Care Week.

The annual celebration of the contributions of primary care to community health this week included lunch-and-learn sessions, workshops, and community health fairs.

This year provided more than 1,250 student-hours of educational programming. During Wednesday’s community health fairs, 145 students and faculty members served nearly 400 patients.

UConn medical, dental, nursing, and pharmacy students, along with Quinnipiac University physician assistant students, staff the health fairs, offered free blood pressure and blood glucose screenings and providing health education materials covering topics such as oral health, nutrition, medication interaction, heart health and diabetes prevention.

Primary Care Week aims to introduce health professions students to the importance of community-responsive primary care, encourage their collaboration as members of future primary health care teams, and work to reduce problems in health care access experienced by underserved populations.

The lunch-and-learn sessions are now available via Mediasite:

Oct. 27:
http://mediasite.uchc.edu/mediasite41/Play/2834123cd0da404a9ce29a5b7c44dd431d

Oct. 29:
http://mediasite.uchc.edu/mediasite41/Play/34025cc9538a484ca0720c16db1775681d

UConn Primary Care Week Schedule

Saturday, Oct. 24

Retreat in the Berkshires
Presentation: “Revitalizing Underserved Communities: Principles in the Promise Zones” by Gina Federico Muslim, Community Solutions, NE Hartford

Monday, Oct. 26

Primary Care Dinner
Presentation: “The Future of Primary Care is Interprofessional” by Dr. Luis Padilla, Health Resources and National Health Service Corps

Tuesday, Oct. 27

Lunch & Learn Cross-campus Video Session
Presentation: “Interprofessional Team in Action: Suboxone Clinic” with Dr. Marwin Haddad and Interprofessional Provider Team, Community Health Center

Family Medicine Interest Group
Dermatology Hands-on Night at UConn Health

Wednesday, Oct. 28

Community Health Fairs

South End Senior Wellness Center, Hartford
Hispanic Senior Center, Hartford
North End Senior Center, Hartford
Community Health Services, Hartford
Hartford Public Library
New Britain Police Department
Mansfield Senior & Wellness Center
Mansfield Parks and Recreation
Dixwell-Newhallville Senior Center, New Haven
United Community & Family Services, Norwich

Thursday, Oct. 29

Lunch & Learn Cross-campus Video Session
Presentation: “Primary Care Practice 2025: A Mad Max World?” with Dr. Robert Zavoski, Connecticut Department of Social Services

Friday, Oct. 30

Interprofessional Educational Deans’ Afternoon