Faculty Community Engagement Grant

Three projects were accepted for 2010-11 funding. The project titles and their principal investigators are listed below, as well as a brief description of the project.

Fun, Food, and Fitness in Weinland Park,  Rosemary Chaudry, PhD, Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing, OSU College of Nursing, Evelyn Van Til, Representative for the Weinland Park Food & Wellness Committee, Susan Colbert, OSU Extension

This is a community-based program that combines health promotion, disease prevention, wellness-programming, and civic engagement.  The program, which is a collaboration among the Weinland Park Community Civic Association’s Food and Wellness Committee, Godman Guild, OSU Extension, OSU Health Sciences Colleges, Schoenbaum Family Center, and the Thompson Recreation Center,  addresses  health and wellness in our urban Weinland Park community by positively engaging residents in cooking demonstrations, recipe sharing, exercise, and health/nutritional education.  We seek to tap the collective wisdom of the community, facilitate engaging learning experiences, and empower healthy choices for Weinland Park residents. 

Health Promotion and Disease Management for COPD at the Hilltop YMCA,  Georgianna Sergakis, PhD, RRT, Crystal Dunlevy, EdD, Sarah Varekojis, PhD, College of Medicine, School of Allied Medical Professions, Respiratory Therapy & Health Sciences Divisions

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the US and only major disease increasing in prevalence and mortality. The purpose of this project is to conduct COPD screening and spirometry at the Hilltop YMCA in Columbus. In addition the project will: involve SAMP students at OSU in the screening process, provide referrals to pulmonologists and/or tobacco cessation programs, offer personalized telephonic health coaching sessions on appropriate topics, offer breathing retraining to those at-risk for COPD, and evaluate the effectiveness of the personalized health coaching sessions and/or referrals with regard to quality of life and effectiveness of prevention techniques.

Using Healthcare Students in Arthritis Prevention and Management Program for Farmers, Margaret Teaford, PhD, School of Allied Medical Professions, Occupational Therapy Division

Over 22 million Americans live in medically underserved rural areas and about 40% report fair to poor health.  Healthcare students with positive clinical experiences in rural areas are more likely to consider working there after graduation. Students in occupational therapy, pharmacy, and health sciences will be trained and work with OSU Extension educators and faculty to screen farmers and other rural older adults for arthritis.  Arthritis is a major health condition that affects at least 49.5% or more of adults over 65 years (Center for Disease Control, 2008).  However, little is known about the prevalence of arthritis in farmers. Farmers are more likely to develop arthritis earlier than the rest of the population due to the physical nature of their work. The students will provide educational resources on arthritis prevention and management to the public at sites such as county fairs. Healthcare professionals at 2 rural hospitals will participate in continuing education on arthritis prevention and management.