We started our morning with our Norwegian friends putting together a phenomenal presentation for OSU Primary Care group providers. The presentation outlined in great detail the healthcare system in Norway. It was very interesting to learn that the most they would pay is only $300 dollars a year before hitting what would be equivalent to our out-of-pocket max! It was clear that in Norway they prioritize preventative medicine much more than in the United States where we generally excel in critical care and management of acute illness or trauma. We learned the impact the sugar tax has on improved cardiovascular health in Norway. It was interesting that Deon pointed out that area’s near the border of Norway where people could cross the border to get cigarettes and sweets for little money had the highest incidence of cardiovascular disease.

We quickly packed up into our cars and headed south to the Mid-Ohio Market at Norton Road, a community food pantry for those that qualify. Immediately we felt as if we had entered a massive grocery store! Aisle upon aisle there was nutrient dense food with very few processed foods in sight. The SDG goal “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” is an excellent representation of our shared goal during this clinical. We set up our station for health screenings right after registration so that we could easily offer health screenings(blood pressure, blood glucose) to pantry patrons. By offering health screenings we are promoting well-being by helping educate on indicators of health and direct people to resources in the community if necessary.  It was a great experience for many of our students who are working on their Spanish Language skills to practice conversing as there were not any translators present.

Today was somber as we knew it was our very last clinical day with our sweet Norwegian friends. After a long day of service and education we ended out the day at Budd Dairy Food Hall, a local market with a wide array of tasty eats and treats. We said our farewells on the rooftop as this would be the last day we would all be together(that is until we visit our friends again in Oslo one day).

Looking back on the COIL experience I feel incredibly grateful to OSU College of Nursing for facilitating this enriching experience. I have gained a new perspective and have recognized all the areas of growth we have to impact and change our communities through our role as a nurse practitioner. I recognize the importance we have as future nurse leaders to be involved politically and support leaders who seek to expand nursing roles and preventative medicine. During my community clinicals, I have gained a new perspective on all of the healthcare disparities and lack of culturally affirming care that exists and how this greatly effects the health of our community members.

This morning, we set out early on a sleepy Saturday morning to perform health screenings/foot baths in collaboration with the Nspire group. We met up with our Norway exchange friends who were in sleek, bright white scrubs that were much more subtle in sharp contrast to our fire hydrant red scrubs. We met with the priest of the church who explained to us more about the outreach that occurs for people in the community for those who are without a home. We learned that the area had the highest rates of violent crime in Columbus, and one of the highest rates of maternal mortality and infant mortality than anywhere else in Ohio. He also told us that many of the people in the area had 10–20 year shorter life spans due to lack of access to healthcare. It was clear that there are many health disparities that this community faces that need urgently addressed.

As we set up our stations for blood glucose, blood pressure, and feet screenings we immediately noticed how excited people were to shuffle in and interact with the students. The Nspire group, a volunteer student organization, puts together hygiene bags with toiletries and other essentials for those who are in need. Some students were running the foot screenings/baths where people could come and soak/scrub their feet and get a fresh pair of clean socks. We learned from the priest that the un-homed are very hesitant to take of their shoes and often sleep with them on which is why the feet baths are so helpful as often it is the first time they have taken off their shoes in months.

Other students were performing blood glucose and blood pressure screenings and providing education on why they are helpful indicators of overall health which is a great example of SDG Goal “Increase the health literacy of the population.” Many of those who attended today have limited access to preventative medicine or have many barriers to accessing community resources due to lack of transportation for example. By having a simple chat, we were able to learn so much about the community members and the great challenges they face in accessing things we take for granted like dental care. Overall, I can see how pivotal of a clinical experience this is to have and am grateful that we have the opportunity to serve our community in this way.

Upon arriving to our clinical site today at All People’s Fresh Market we were quickly assigned an individualized role in preparation of the bustling opening rush at 10:30 sharp! While the building was no larger than a small gas station, I was quick to notice unlike other food pantries it was packed full to the brim with nutrient dense and non-processed foods like lettuce, eggplant, grapefruit, watermelon, potatoes, peppers, and zucchini.

We were swiftly divided up into teams: registration/welcome team, blood pressure screenings, produce, and assisting in checkout of items. Raegan was eager to assist with registration where she was a great asset!

Raegan Heitzenrater providing smiles, support, and her spanish skills to registration staff!

After opening, market members were quick to greet us with a wide grin. I enjoyed chatting with them as they perused through the produce. Many were thrilled to chatter about how they planned to prepare each dish – sauted, steamed, grilled, air-fried, or thrown together into a stew! It was instantly clear to see the joy this organization brings to the community. In many cultures and families preparing dinner is a source of connection, so it was heartwarming to see families come in together galvanized to cook up nutritious ingredients.

Our clinical instructor Dr. Edwards helped us set up a table for us to perform health screenings, which many patrons took us up on! We were able to provide blood pressure screenings, which we were eager to do after mastering the art of the manual blood pressure earlier this month in lab and clinical. We were also able to provide patrons with children sunglasses which were exceptionally popular given the weather warming up.

Many Ohioans face food insecurity, in fact a shocking 11.5 percent of Ohioans are food insecure with 1.6 million facing hunger, 500,000 of those being children. (What Hunger Looks like in Ohio, 2024). Sustainability goal number 2 is to “end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”.  After speaking to a few of the volunteers at the market, I learned that the All People’s Fresh Market, a partner of Mid-Ohio Food Collective, provides fresh produce for any household earning less than 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline.  The market is open 6 days a week and can be accessed by those who qualify once per day.  Staff members said it is not uncommon for the pantry to see up to 400 people come through a day and lines a great distance down the road, making community volunteers pivotal to the mission. The market frequently has other community organizations within the community like South Side Thrive and Project Dawn that serve a similar mission of community based health promotion.

Project Dawn is a local organization that had a representative from OSU providing Naloxene and Fentanyl test strips along with education of how to use these items that can save a life. We enjoyed also learning about the organization South Side Thrive which helps promote healthy living resources, financial/housing stability, and community connection.

Near the end of our clinical day, we were able to take a short break and neandered over to Bake Me Happy, a local gluten free bakery near the market. It was the perfect refreshing snack after a long day of community cares! Reflecting back on our long clinical day, my biggest takeaway is how important improving access to not only food, but nutritious non-processed food can have a big impact on community health and wellbeing.

South Side Thrive!

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