Meeting unmet needs through a student community health fair

It all began with a conversation with Tom, a down-to-earth neighbor of mine sporting a vibrant pink shirt, glasses, and an infectious smile. Tom runs a life enrichment outreach center in an East Tennessee town, nestled just beyond the Appalachian Mountains, in Blount county. During our discussion, Tom spoke about the challenges and pressing needs of both his organization and the town it serves. Tom is working toward building up his community by focusing on triage, prevention, and community development for distressed individuals, children, and families. As our conversation unfolded, it became increasingly apparent that this community faces health challenges, and these challenges align well with my role as an Assistant Professor of occupational therapy at a local university. I began to sense I might be able to contribute toward easing some of these health challenges.