Arizona university students opening health clinic for homeless
Sep 12, 2014, 3:38 PM | Updated: 3:38 pm
PHOENIX — Some of Arizona’s university students will get a taste of real-world experience this weekend, all while helping those in need.
The group of about 70 students from Arizona’s three public universities — Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and University of Arizona — are part of a group called the Student Health Outreach for Wellness (SHOW) initiative.
Pamela Thompson, research professor with ASU, Thompson said they will be at the Human Services Campus of the Central Arizona Shelter Services providing a wide array of free health services for homeless people in Maricopa County on Saturday.
“We’ll be providing primary healthcare services and in addition we’ll also be providing hearing and speech pathology services,” she said. “But we also want to really focus on a holistic view of what health and healthcare is.”
In addition to primary health services, Thompson said those students will also be working to provide lifestyle and nutrition education.
The free clinic will be somewhat of a stress test for the students, as they are expecting to open a permanent health clinic for the homeless in Phoenix this fall.
Thompson said it will be an independently-licensed clinic and no date for opening has been set, but Saturday’s free clinic should help further prepare the students.
“The students are both excited and a little bit nervous,” she said.
The event is free and available to anyone struggling with homelessness. Thompson said there will be food for those seeking help while they wait for services.
The Human Services Campus is located at 230 12th Ave. in Phoenix and the clinic will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
