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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students in the School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas at Monticello collaborated with New Bethel Church Ministries in Winchester, Arkansas, to bring a health expo to residents of Drew, Lincoln and Desha counties in July. The expo aimed to improve health outcomes in rural Arkansas communities disproportionately affected by chronic diseases.

At the expo, the MSN students, whose degree program focuses on public health, worked with local health organizations to provide healthcare services, screenings and educational resources. Dr. Sam Makhoul, an oncologist from the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute, spoke about the importance of early screening for breast and lung cancer. Attendees had access to educational materials, door prizes and engaging activities designed to enhance their health knowledge.

Tanya Hawkins, an MSN student at UAM and co-host of the expo, stated, “Our goal for this event was to help educate the people in the rural communities where we live about some of the resources available to them. Providing health information in rural communities helps people to prevent and manage their chronic conditions, which ultimately helps improve the health outcomes of the communities.”

“Health expos help bring the community together to network with a goal of meeting the diverse individual needs,” Dr. Brandy Haley, dean of the School of Nursing at UAM, said. “The education provided at this event will hopefully have lasting effects on improving the health of individuals, their families and their communities. In our Master of Science in Nursing program, we emphasize that health expos and fairs are public health interventions rather than mere class assignments, and we challenge our graduate students to use their nursing skills and knowledge to help instill healthy behaviors in those attending. I am extremely proud of these graduate nursing students for developing this health expo and, more importantly, for understanding that public health education can improve disease outcomes.”

The MSN program at UAM offers two tracks for RNs to obtain their degree: RN to MSN and BSN to MSN. Both tracks begin in January and June. For more information about the UAM School of Nursing's MSN program, visit www.uamont.edu/academics/nursing or call 870-460-1069.