Spring into Health Fair

Over the years, Hardin-Simmons University has hosted various community outreach programs at Ortiz Elementary School. Located one mile apart from each other, proximity has made Ortiz E.S. the “sister school” to HSU. HSU students, faculty, and staff give their time, expertise, and resources to make a positive impact on their neighbors. Reoccurring events hosted at Ortiz include donated food baskets for families to enjoy during the holiday seasons, school supply drives at the start of the school year, and health fairs in the spring.

Participants are ready for another door prize drawing.

On April 4, 2024, HSU students, faculty, and staff went to Ortiz E.S. to educate, entertain, and encourage Ortiz E.S. families to live healthier lives with the “Spring into Health Fair.” Representatives from across the campus, including the Departments of Speech-Language Pathology, Exercise Science, Communication Science Disorders, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, and Education, plus the Houston-Lantrip Center, Six White Horses, and HSU cheerleaders, showed up to cook dinner for the families of Ortiz and offered resources and immersive learning experiences. 

Multiple stations were set up within the school for families to explore, from hearing tests to teeth brushing demonstrations and CPR training to reading activities. Outside, the DPT program provided dinner by grilling hotdogs and passing out cookies, chips, and drinks while members of the Six White Horses stood by for onlookers. Multilingual stations were set up to make sure no family was left out.

Dion and Sesame

HSU’s service dogs in training were also present. There are currently five puppies at HSU that faculty, staff, and students are training in partnership with Canine Companions. Dion and Sesame, two of the pups, were present and were fan favorites for sure! 

Mary Burke, parent of a second grader, attended the evening. “This was such a fun and educational night,” she shared. “We talk about proper teeth brushing and other healthy habits at home, but having those things reinforced by everyone here tonight really emphasized to my son the importance of healthy choices.”

Roger, the second grader, loved petting the dogs and eating the hot dogs. “I also liked the fake teeth that I got to brush with a toothbrush.”

Every 20-30 minutes, the organizers went to the microphone to encourage a large group activity for everyone to perform together. These activities ranged from how to perform a cheer routine to potentially life-saving lessons like saving a choking person using the Heimlich Maneuver. Door prizes were awarded throughout the night, with larger prizes at the very end drawn from the names of the visitors who completed the most stations. 

Dr. Janelle O’Connell, Dean of the College of Health Professions at HSU, shared, “Our goal was to help educate the people at Ortiz.” From healthy eating to car seat safety to CPR training, the health fair successfully reached its goal.