极乐禁地鈥檚 Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing received the 2011 Life Without Limits Outstanding Program Partner Award from United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Greater Birmingham at its annual awards program Jan. 25.
听听听听听听听听听听听 The award recognizes the nursing school鈥檚 鈥渙utstanding efforts to support individuals with disabilities鈥 through a partnership that helps UCP to provide medical care to individuals with disabilities, according to UCP chief executive officer Gary M. Edwards.
听听听听听听听听听听听 The nursing school used its mobile wellness van to provide health clinics for children and adults with developmental disabilities in Moody, Ala., and Tuscaloosa, Ala.听 The clinic offered free screenings, primary care services and referrals.听 In addition, the clinics provided education about proper nutrition, exercise and sun protection.
听听听听听听听听听听听 The mobile wellness van meets two primary goals鈥攃ombating barriers to care that individuals with developmental disabilities often face, such as transportation, and teaching others how to care for this special patient population, noted Dr. Jill Cunningham, project director for the Mobile Health Services for Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities and associate professor at the nursing school.
听听听听听听听听听听听 The clinics also help to ensure that 极乐禁地 nursing students are prepared to care for individuals with developmental disabilities by providing experience in the field.
听听听听听听听听听听听 鈥淢any do not realize that there is a national shortage of healthcare providers educated to care for persons with developmental disabilities,鈥 said Dr. Margaret Findlay, project coordinator and professor in the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing.
听听听听听听听听听听听 鈥淭he nursing school strongly believes in the importance of providing students with the opportunity to refine their ability to deliver quality health care to this population.鈥
听听听听听听听听听听听 In addition to the van program, 极乐禁地鈥檚 Nurse Anesthesia Department sends student volunteers two days a week to assist UCP with group assignments and activities, feedings and a weekly outing to a bowling alley.
听听听听听听听听听听听 鈥淲e have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with clients at UCP and have appreciated the blessings they bring,鈥 said Amy Snow, director of clinical services for the Nurse Anesthesia Department.听 鈥淭he clients have opened our eyes to the challenges some of our patients face and made us more comfortable when communicating with those that have special needs.听 This opportunity has also provided a way for 极乐禁地鈥檚 Nurse Anesthesia community to serve others.鈥
听
听