A group of Baptist Health Sciences University students, including 43 nursing students, 112 medical students and 17 faculty from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Nursing, recently visited six schools to teach more than 700 fourth, fifth and sixth graders about tobacco and nicotine prevention.
“I love getting out into the community with our students,” said Dr. Jason Salmon, assistant professor of Clinical Sciences at Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine and organizer of the Tar Wars Program. “The way they shine with kids in local schools reminds me that we are producing incredible future doctors at Baptist University College of Osteopathic Medicine.”
Tar Wars is an interprofessional educational event (IPE) for Baptist Health Sciences University.
“IPE is a significant aspect of our teaching and learning at the university, where we intentionally create opportunities for students from the disciplines to learn with, from and about each other,” said Dean of Nursing Cathy Stepter. “The goal with IPE is to help improve our communications and to build teamwork and communication skills early. With Tar Wars, student nurses and osteopathic medical students inspired the next generation to make informed, healthy choices about nicotine and tobacco.”
This is the second year the university has participated in Tar Wars. This year, the number of classrooms and schools included in the program more than doubled.
Through activities and honest conversations, students and faculty helped students participating in Tar Wars understand the real impact of tobacco and nicotine. Participating schools include Westside Elementary School, Cummings K-8 School, Caldwell-Guthrie School, Holy Rosary Catholic School, Peabody Elementary and Snowden School.
Aastha Banga, a medical student who participated in the program, reflected on her time spent with elementary and middle school students.
“Participating in Tar Wars was such a fun experience,” said Banga. “It reminded me that service can take many different forms and one of the most meaningful and rewarding is education.”
Banga continued, “I was impressed by how curious, engaged and thoughtful the students were. Being able to connect with them and help them better understand the importance of making healthy decisions made the experience even more meaningful. It reminded me why community health education is such an important part of becoming a physician, and it made me even more grateful to be at Baptist University where opportunities like this exist.”
