NEOMED Free Clinic and Geriatrics Interest Group Collaborate at Senior Health Fair
On Friday, Oct. 11, the NEOMED Free Clinic and the Geriatrics Interest Group (GIG) participated in the Senior Health Fair at the Lake Community YMCA in Hartville, Ohio. Meera Nair, the Community Outreach and Service Chair for the NEOMED Free Clinic and a second-year medical student, shared highlights from the event:
A team of NEOMED students, including volunteers from both the free clinic and GIG, provided attendees with valuable information about the services offered at the NEOMED Free Clinic. The students also distributed free resistance bands and guided exercise packets featuring simple exercises that could be performed using the bands. Additionally, members of GIG introduced their Pen Pals Program — a unique initiative that pairs local elementary school students with older adults to promote intergenerational connections.
The health fair, designed for the active older adult population of Lake Township and surrounding areas, welcomed participants from across Northeast Ohio.
"I was overwhelmed by the support we received from the Geriatrics Interest Group," Nair said, reflecting on the planning process. "Thanks to their enthusiasm, we quickly filled all available volunteer spots."
Christine Lo Verde, a second-year medical student and co-president of the Geriatrics Interest Group, shared her thoughts on volunteering at the fair:
"This experience provided a fantastic opportunity to educate the community on maintaining strength and mobility in later years by emphasizing the importance of regular exercise and promoting long-term healthy habits. The community’s enthusiasm was clear, especially in their eagerness to learn tips from NEOMED students on how to use resistance bands safely and effectively. These personalized interactions were invaluable. Beyond supporting the attendees, the wealth of resources at the fair stood out to me. Walking through over 70 tables and interacting with various organizations gave me insight into a broad range of support services that can benefit my future patients, helping bridge the gap between health care and community-based resources."
The NEOMED Free Clinic is committed to expanding its outreach efforts within the community. Those interested in collaborating with the clinic are encouraged to contact Meera Nair at mnair2@neomed.edu.
A special thank you goes to Jennifer Ripple and the Lake Community YMCA team for warmly welcoming NEOMED to this year’s Senior Health Fair.
Get involved:
- Interested in volunteering with the NEOMED Free Clinic? Contact Henyah Dardir (hdardir@neomed.edu) or Ethan Sontz (esontz@neomed.edu).
- Want to join the Geriatrics Interest Group or sign up for the Pen Pals Program? Contact Christine Lo Verde (cloverde@neomed.edu) or Brianna Love (blove@neomed.edu).