Amish Health and Safety Day - August 13, 2013

Ashland University (AU) nursing students and faculty recently volunteered at the Amish Health and Safety Day.  This event was held on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 in Ashland, Ohio at the Hay and Straw Auction Barn.  The Health and Safety Day was a success with over 325 Amish in attendance.

Throughout the day, local agencies gave presentations on various health and safety related topics such as fire safety, drinking water safety, buggy safety on the highway, and gun/hunting safety. 

Agencies also set up displays and booths where the Amish could learn more about community services as well as health and safety topics. 

Back: Adam Heydinger, Cole Jasinski, Alyssa Coley, Jessica Petroff, Julie Natterer,
Middle: Samantha Green, Johnathan Horst, Melessa Starnes Damoff
Front:  Courtney Friebel, Marje Silcox, Wesley Kyser, Carrie Grund
Not pictured: Whitney Hatfield, Diana Gibson, Tiffiny Ellenberger

Nursing faculty member Marje Silcox organized a team of AU nursing students to volunteer at this event.  There were 11 current nursing students, 2 recent AU nursing graduates, and 3 nursing faculty members on site taking blood pressures and blood sugar tests.  Students and faculty also provided education related to hypertension.   Silcox stated, “This was a great opportunity for our students to learn more about the Amish culture and to be engaged with our community and its needs.”  The Ashland University College of Nursing actively participates in various service learning projects in our community as part of a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant.