To our health! Central opens community clinic

Published:

By Savanna Yelling

Central Connecticut State University took a healthy step forward with its first Community Health Education Open House on Oct. 23 at the clinic's new space in Copernicus Hall.

The Central Community Health Education Clinic aims to address healthcare disparities in the surrounding community while allowing students studying healthcare to gain hands-on experience with the oversight of faculty.

Lisa McMahon, program coordinator and physical therapist, emphasized the value of helping both Central students and the broader community.

“The more collaboration we have, the better,” McMahon said.

While the services offered in the clinic are geared towards members of the community outside of Central, the clinic is looking to use students on campus throughout this process. Services will include blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol screenings along with health-fitness and body composition assessments.

Students studying in the healthcare field will be able to get clinical experience performing screenings at the clinic. 

While the clinic will be mainly used for screenings and assessments, there are steps in place to get patients further care if they need it, according to McMahon. 

Visitors at the open house asked what the procedure would be for a patient who needs more care than the clinic can provide. 

“They have protocols in place if that does happen,” McMahon said. “Because that’s definitely a concern.” 
Protocols include calling 911 for emergencies and referrals to other medical providers. 

To make the community aware of the clinic, efforts are underway to wrap a van as a mobile advertisement to ensure residents of surrounding towns are aware of this newly built resource in their community. Another open house at the clinic is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 2, from 2 to 4 p.m.