Grantee Spotlight: PA Students Make an IMPACT in their Community
PA students promote health and wellness activities across Lake County, Ohio, supported by PA Foundation grant
September 20, 2024
By Alex Morse
This September, the Lake Erie College PA Program hosted its second annual “Fall into Health” fair. This community event was established by Lake Erie College PA students to promote health and wellness across Lake County, Ohio, educate community members on the role of PAs, and build stronger connections with Painesville and the surrounding area. In 2023, the Lake Erie College PA Program was awarded a PA Foundation IMPACT Grant to support its project efforts and goals.
“The funding allowed us to purchase street signs, banners, printed flyers, and online advertisements, all aimed at maximizing awareness and encouraging attendance at the health fair,” said Madison Sullivan, PA-C, a recent graduate from Lake Erie College and lead coordinator of the “Fall into Health” fair since January 2023. “We have utilized a significant portion of the IMPACT Grant to enhance our outreach efforts, particularly in the rural areas of Lake County, where reaching lower-income populations can be challenging.” Funds were also allocated for sweatshirts for vendors and volunteers and free lunches for attendees, ensuring they not only received medical services and community education but also left with a full stomach.
Through this project, the program hopes to address the various social determinants of health in Lake County. Vendors provide a variety of information and services to the community, such as vision screenings, dental care, physical exams, vaccinations, homelessness services, and more, with a particular focus on underserved, low-income populations.
The PA Foundation IMPACT Grant Program provides funding to support patient-centered, community-based health projects within the United States and its territories that demonstrate an impact on patient health outcomes.
“Receiving this grant is deeply meaningful to us as PA students because it signifies more than just financial support; it represents a recognition of our commitment to making a difference in our community,” Sullivan said. “The funding makes it possible to turn ambitious ideas into reality, facilitating projects that might otherwise be unattainable due to financial constraints.”
The first “Fall into Health” fair, which debuted in 2023, served over 130 community members and provided $59,000 in free services. In 2024, the team served over 300 people in just five hours. In that time, they handed out over 200 bags of fresh produce, promoting nutrition and wellness for families throughout Lake County; offered 50 free oral health screenings and spine screenings; distributed 150 Narcan kits to help combat the opioid crisis; and, in partnership with Homeless Hookup, distributed coats, shoes, socks, and other essential supplies to help community members prepare for the upcoming winter months. “In just one year we were able to double our reach,” Sullivan explained. “Because of this, we anticipate the event will continue to grow, and we have no plans of stopping it. We are hoping to turn the entire initiative into a nonprofit so we can reach more people each year.” The team has already begun planning for 2025 and claims that none of this would be possible without funding from the PA Foundation.
The PA students’ efforts are driven by a genuine desire to serve, and the IMPACT Grant not only helped them reach their goals, but also affirmed that their work is valued, and others share their vision. “The grant empowers us to amplify our outreach and continue funneling crucial resources to those who need them most. We are profoundly grateful for this support, as it underscores a shared commitment to community service and allows us to achieve far more than we could on our own.”
During PA Week 2024, the PA Foundation is seeking donations to its IMPACT Grant Program to help fund future patient-centered, community-based health projects like this one. Show your PA pride and donate today!
“The IMPACT Grant Program not only opens doors to innovative community solutions but also reinforces the commitment of PAs and PA students to serve and uplift those in need,” Sullivan stated. “By contributing to this program, you help ensure that these valuable initiatives can continue to flourish and make a difference where it matters most.”
Visit the PA Foundation website for more information on IMPACT Grants and to view the projects of previous IMPACT Grant recipients.
Alex Morse is AAPA’s Communications Associate. She can be reached at [email protected].
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