Students from the School of Nursing volunteered at the Idaho Special Olympics MedFest held at Timberline High School on Jan. 29. MedFest is a health screening event for Special Olympic athletes who participated in the 2015 State Winter Games in Sun Valley, Feb. 27 through March 1. Athletes from around Boise and as far away as Twin Falls participated in the health screening.
The students assisted with set-up and helped with health screenings for blood pressure, height and weight, medication risks, and vision. Students learned about the needs of Special Olympic athletes and efforts by the Idaho Special Olympics organizers to promote health and wellness among children and youth with intellectual disabilities by continuing to give them opportunities to develop physical fitness and wellness.
All of the nursing students involved in MedFest felt it was a positive experience for them as well as the athletes. Students involved in the event included Jan Woods, Ann Stookey, Aimee Hull, Tiffanie Berggren, Â Rebecca Wood, Audrey Hult, Justin Mihkelson, Kara Edwards, Jennifer Florczyk, Julie Thorne, and Sara Gossi, along with assistant professor Mark Siemon.