Students get hands-on experience while making Union County healthier

By Savannah Phillips

Student Writer

This weekend, for the third year in a row, Wingate's health science programs and other departments teamed up with Monroe community partners to help make Union County healthier.

By all accounts, the Community Health and Wellness Fair, held at the Monroe Science Centeron Saturday, was a big success. Of the 339 community participants who completed the exit survey, 91% said that they would make a change in their health behaviors because of something they learned at the event.

Meghan Raynor, a School of Pharmacy student, said that the event was "an incredible success, with such a strong turnout from the community and an inspiring level of involvement from Wingate University students."

"I chose to volunteer because I am passionate about serving underserved communities and take every opportunity to educate others and help them better understand their health, wellness and medications," she said. "It was amazing to have the opportunity to serve the community in such a positive, welcoming, and encouraging environment - one that truly promoted better health and a stronger understanding of wellness for everyone who attended."

Wingate students alone provided more than 50 blood-pressure and glucose screenings.

Representatives of all of Wingate's health science programs and the Office of Advancement, plus Keyua McElveen, director of co-curricular and student experience, served on the organizing committee, joining representatives from the nonprofit Heart for Monroe, the N.C. Cooperative Extension and the Union County government's Community Engagement program.

Novant Health, the gold and presenting sponsor of this year's fair and a sponsor for the past several years, brought its mobile medical unit, the Community Cruiser. In the cruiser, which is part of the health system's "Remarkable You" program, Novant employees provided comprehensive blood-pressure, cholesterol and pre-diabetes health screenings.

Novant specifically targets those who are uninsured, underinsured, or have no primary-care provider or medical home, and it aims to increase access to health resources in the community. The team completed 10 Remarkable You health screenings during the event.

"At Novant Health, we are committed to improving access to care by meeting people where they are," said Amanda Austin, community-engagement partner at Novant. "Partnering with Wingate University for this health fair allowed us to bring our mobile unit into the heart of the community and provide remarkable screenings that empower individuals to take charge of their health. Together, we are building stronger, healthier communities one person at a time."

Silver sponsor Walgreens Pharmacy administered 52 flu shots, along with other vaccines. For those who did not have insurance, the flu shots were given free of charge.

Heart for Monroe, also a silver sponsor, had the Closet Ministry onsite providing gently used clothing. The Closet is open weekly in downtown Monroe, serving those in Union County and in the nearby areas of South Carolina.

Nearly 150 fully loaded pencil pouches were distributed, along with backpacks, composition notebooks, and other school essentials. In the parking lot, along with Novant's Community Cruiser, was the Union County Public Schools Book Bus. One-hundred participants were able to choose books to take home.

Just 45 minutes into the fair, 50 cardboard boxes full of fresh produce had been donated.

While many parents and guardians were getting their health screenings, visiting the Closet to find gently used clothing, or getting immunizations, children were able to explore the KidZone, which had a wide variety of fun activities.

There were 121 volunteers in total, not including members of the Wingate men's lacrosse team, who helped with the kids' games and with the takedown of the event.

"The community health fair was more than just a mere event," said Shanta Dube, Wingate professor and director of the University's Department of Public Health. "It was an amazing gathering of neighbors, friends, and families to champion wellness. It's not just about sharing resources - this kind of connection builds healthier futures for everyone."

"I think we accomplished meeting tangible needs in the community, engaging students in service learning, and making positive changes in the health behaviors for participants," said Lisa Dinkins, professor of pharmacy and director of community health outreach. "It is very important to me that this event addresses key needs of the Monroe community."

Dinkins was excited to welcome some new exhibitors this year, including the Council on Aging, Turning Point, Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, HomeInstead, and the University's social work program.

"I am grateful for the support of our community partners, especially the sponsorship by Novant each year, that makes this event possible," Dinkins said. "We continue to have a strong volunteer base from the Wingate health sciences, as well as interest from many in the community, who give their time in an effort to connect our community to the resources available. It offers a beautiful example of community and hope."

Dinkins added that the fair is a way to help Wingate students "grow as future professionals, share their knowledge and skills with the community at large and learn the importance of compassion and service."

"The day was filled with positivity, hope and a true sense of community and unity among diversity - a win for all in attendance," she said.

To encourage participants to visit every booth, they were given an "Event Passport." Once the passport was filled with stamps, participants could choose a prize. Children could turn it in to receive prizes from the Treasure Box, while adults could choose between a $25 Food Lion gift card or a gift certificate to Gingham Cake Rolls and Creations. Food Lion donated 25 gift cards to the event.

For more information about this year's Community Health and Wellness Fair, click here.

Sept. 15, 2025