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Student Projects
Health Science Student Organization
Students in the Health Science Student Organization host several annual events, including Disability Day at Williston Elementary to teach children about what it is like to live with disabilities, and a wheelchair basketball game to raise money for Gator Sport Camp, a recreational camp for adults with disabilities.
College Council
Students in the College Council organize several service activities including a flag football game to raise money for Horses Helping People and a wheelchair basketball game to benefit Gator Sport camp. Council members also have longstanding relationships with Hope Lodge and St. Francis House and they prepare dinner for residents of the facilities several times a year.
Bus Stop Accessibility
Public health students in the assessment and surveillance course in the department of behavioral science and community health worked with the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida to evaluate the accessibility of 254 Gainesville bus stops along four routes. The students presented their findings to community stakeholders and local government leaders.
University Rehabilitation Association
Members of the University Rehabilitation Association participate in service projects throughout the year including providing meals to residents of Hope Lodge, the temporary home for cancer patients and their families, and to residents of St. Francis House, Gainesville's shelter for individuals who are homeless.
Vocational Consultation Service
The Vocational Consultation Service offers clinical experience beyond the internship level to students in the rehabilitation counseling master's degree program in the department of behavioral science and community health. The Vocational Consultation Service provides return-to-work evaluations for individuals with work-related injuries.
Craniofacial Camp
Clinical and health psychology students volunteer as counselors at the annual Craniofacial Camp for children with craniofacial differences, and their families. While the parents attend family counseling sessions, the clinical and health psychology students join the campers and their siblings for recreational activities.
Interdisciplinary Family Health
Students in clinical and health psychology and physical therapy practice their skills in health promotion and wellness through the Interdisciplinary Family Health program, which involves students from other Health Science Center colleges. Students participate in a service activity that meets community family volunteer needs, enhances course content and gives students a sense of civic responsibility and a broader appreciation of family health within a community context.
Wired Together Camp
Students in the department of clinical and health psychology participate in "Wired Together," a camp for families and children with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator devices. Activities include leading Q&A sessions with parents about adjustment, coping, and stress management; acting as group leaders in separate boys and girls' sessions about life with an ICD; and leading recreational activities for children, siblings and parents.
Clinical and Health Psychology Student Projects
Students in clinical and health psychology regularly participate in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida. Individual students have also provided volunteer time to the following local or regional organizations: Gainesville Area AIDS Project (GAAP); Friends Across the Ages, a local organization whose goal is to provide friendship for residents of nursing homes; Habitat for Humanity; and the Alzheimer's Association.
MHA Student Projects
Students in the department of health services research, management and policy have participated in events benefiting organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity and Light the Night Walk, a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
CarFit
Students and faculty from the department of occupational therapy hosted CarFit, a free national program for older drivers. The group led seniors through a 12-point checklist with their personal vehicles, recommended adjustments and adaptations to enhance their safety, and offered community resources.
Hands to Love Camp
Students and faculty from the department of occupational therapy participate in Hands to Love Camp. Families and children with upper limb disabilities gather for adventure, camaraderie and relaxation. Hand to Love Camp provides children a safe haven in which to try new activities, meet others who have similar upper limb differences, and just have fun being kids. Hand to Love Camp also allows parents to network with each other, share ideas and experiences, ask questions and relax.
Gaitor Challenge
Physical therapy students implemented a walking program for the Gainesville community called the Gaitor Challenge. The goal is to increase the activity/fitness level of Gainesville residents. The program is free and participants received pedometers and T-shirts and are encouraged to keep a log of their activity.
Phoenix House
In spring 2008 physical therapy students collaborated with the Phoenix House, a transitional program for recovering addicts, to create a fitness program for the residents. They gave presentations on safe exercise programs, updated the fitness equipment in the gym through donations, and monitored resident progress.
AHEC
In 2006, public health students collaborated with the Suwannee River Area Health Education Center, or AHEC, to assist the Florida Department of Health in optimizing use of its online immunization registry, making Gainesville the first community in the state with 100 percent participation.
Community Health and Public Health Scholars
Collaboration with the AHEC program has produced many other faculty and student projects. AHEC's Community Health Scholars and Public Health Scholars programs link interested students with projects identified by local health department staff members. AHEC is also supporting a project led by PHHP faculty members - the Family Lifestyle Intervention Program - which focuses on the prevention of obesity for children in two rural counties.
