Nursing Department Hosts Free Senior Citizen Health Fair
Nursing Students Leah Schaffert and Jill Patterson check a participant's blood pressure during the A-B Tech nursing students' senior citizen health fair.
A free senior citizen health fair, "Spring Forward to Healthy Aging," was held April 28 in Coman Gym on the Asheville Campus of A-B Tech. The event, hosted by A-B Tech's Nursing Department, was part of the course requirements for NUR 116, Nursing of Older Adults.
Local agencies and senior nursing students provided educational information and health promotion screenings for individuals 65 and older and their caregivers. The free screenings included blood pressure checks, vision assessments, glaucoma tests, blood sugar screenings, and weight and height evaluations. Entertainment was provided by senior citizens from Harvest House.
"Our health fair is a day when we hope to reach older persons in our community to screen for illnesses that commonly occur and educate them regarding staying as healthy as possible. Staying independent for as long as possible is our big focus." said Karen Baker, nursing instructor.
"The Associate Degree Nursing students study gerontology during their last semester in school. They learn about the changes we all go through as we age and how to care for elders with their special needs. This fair allows the students to share with the community the knowledge they've learned regarding the aging," said Sheri Lussier, nursing instructor.
Displays and screenings were offered by Miracle Ear, Lions Eye Clinic, Mountain Mobility, Mountain Care Hospice, Greenspan Chiropractic, Alzheimer's Association, Memory Assessment Clinic, Park Ridge Hospital, Harvest House, Interim Health Care, and Thoms Rehabilitation.
Academic Excellence
President K. Ray Bailey congratulates Dental Assisting student Elizabeth Curtis for the Academic Award she received April 20 in Ferguson Auditorium. Fifty-four students were honored for their outstanding achievements, while 69 students were recognized for their nomination into Who's Who Among American Junior College Students.
Welcome New Employees
The College welcomes seven full-time employees who have accepted staff and faculty positions over the past few months.
Deborah E. Ellington, web designer, has a B.A. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She was a multimedia developer for Elon University, and a Digital Arts Instructor for the Durham Arts Council.
Karla A. Hollins, instructor of Veterinary Medical Technology, received a B.S. from Boston University, Boston, Mass., and her D.V.M. from Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. She was a veterinarian and medical director for REACH in Asheville.
Christina L. Lang, program coordinator Instructor, Health Occupations, earned her diploma from Milwaukee County General School of Nursing. She has been an adjunct CNA instructor at A-B Tech for 15 years, and a health nurse for the City of Asheville for four years.
Nicholas F. Lanning, instructor of Automotive Technologies, received his A.A.S. in Automotive Systems Technology from A-B Tech. He was an automotive technician for Hunter Chevrolet for nearly seven years.
Jill R. McNabb, secretary for Records Management has a B.A. in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She was the student affairs officer at UCLA for almost three years and assistant to the dean at UCLA for three years.
Eric S. Noblett, custodian, has experience working at A-B Tech through Manpower services. He was a supervisor with Gold Star Coating in Arden for over four years, and a welder in Cane Creek Industrial Park for 10 years.
Mary L. Trigg, secretary for Adult Basic Skills, earned her B.A. in philosophy from Guilford College, Greensboro. She was previously a secretary in health occupations at A-B Tech.
Rescued Cherry Trees Mark Beginning of Spring
The blooms on two cherry trees behind the Ivy Building are not only a sign of spring, but of the second chance the trees got about 12 years ago. Mission Hospitals were clearing a bank and Tom Rash, coordinator of Compensatory Education, got word that the trees were available for the price of digging them up and hauling them off. Rash, another instructor, and two students, dug them up in a driving rainstorm and replanted them where they are today. They also managed to snag the forsythia bush that blooms behind the Pines Building now. "We didn't know if they would survive the move, but they have flourished," said Rash.