Operation Diabetes

In the Spring of 2008, the University of Toledo deviated from its traditional fall semester Operation Diabetes patient care event, and instead held the event in spring to gain a jump start on the new reporting year.  Students from UT teamed up with St. Martin de Porres, a local Toledo church, as part of the church’s health fair.  After the Sunday mass, parish members were able to filter into the back of the church where APhA-ASP members educated, as well as screened patients for diabetes.  Students used several new techniques to engage and educate members of the church.  These included stations that involved taste and touch, as well as the usual visual and auditory tools.  Free blood glucose screening was offered by trained P3 students, and supervised by UT faculty.  The success of this event is due not only to the support of UT faculty and St. Martin de Porres, but also to the student members of APhA-ASP who sacrificed the Sunday before their finals week to help out their community, and promote their profession.