By Kristen Linthicum/UGA Today

At the onset of cold and flu season, a group of University of Georgia schools and colleges joined together to promote community health at UGA’s Health Sciences Campus.

Last week, students and faculty from across the university — including the College of Public Health, Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, the School of Medicine and the College of Pharmacy — hosted the second Normaltown Community Health Fair. The event offered nutrition information, family-friendly games and activities, and free flu shots for individuals and families from the Normaltown neighborhood.

“It was an excellent event! More than I expected from a health fair,” said Leslye Queen, an Athens resident. “There was a lot of helpful information about healthy living plus interesting activities. And I got my flu shot.”

The event’s activities were wide-ranging. Attendees received reaction time tests from the kinesiology department as well as Veggie Meter readings from the College of Public Health to determine their needed fruit and vegetable intake. They learned about planting a garden from the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and learned about heart and lung sounds from the medical partnership students.

“This event is a great opportunity for our students to not only connect with the community but connect with their peers across health professions,” said Marsha Davis, dean of the College of Public Health. “Our students can all learn so much from each other, and these partnerships are what help us strengthen our communities and build a healthier Georgia.”

The free flu shots were administered by local pharmacist Kevin Florence, who is the owner of Add Drug and a UGA alumnus.

“This is a good opportunity to get all the health care related programs together. Professionals all intersect at one point, but not a lot of things bring students together this early on,” he said. “When the School of Medicine is here, I’m sure there will be more opportunities there for students to connect as well. The more they can interact and work together, the better health care you’ll receive.”

As the School of Medicine continues to develop, UGA staff and faculty are frequently engaging in the Athens community. Continuing a longstanding tradition of community-based medicine and service, School of Medicine faculty and staff are leading the Clarke Middle Health Clinic, the Athens Free Clinic and other initiatives that benefit Athenians.

“One of our essential missions at the School of Medicine is to advance health in Georgia and beyond, and that starts right here in Athens,” said Shelley Nuss, founding dean of the School of Medicine and dean of the Medical Partnership. “The Normaltown Community Health Fair is just one example of how our campus will remain a steadfast and trusted health care partner to serve our patients and communities as we address Georgia’s unmet health needs.”