Students bring care to the community
Students from the School of Health Sciences spent the morning of Tuesday, October 20, 2025, setting up stations at the Downtown Transit Terminal to offer free blood pressure checks to Wrenford residents.
The clinics were organized by the Allied Health & Wellness program, which covers fields such as personal support work, pharmacy technology, and fitness promotion. The program's chair, Chloé Bergeron, said the initiative gives students real-world experience while helping the public stay on top of their health.
"We want our students to understand that health is about more than just the clinic walls," Chloé said. "It is about meeting people where they are. Seeing the numbers on the screen helps residents make choices about their diet, activity, and follow-up care."
Students from the Personal Support Worker and Pharmacy Technician programs worked in pairs to measure blood pressure, log results, and provide basic information on managing stress and sodium intake. A faculty advisor reviewed the data and flagged any readings that required immediate medical attention.
One of the students involved was Maya, a Practical Nursing student. "It was a bit nerve-wracking at first, but everyone was very polite," Maya said. "I learned how to explain the numbers in a way that makes sense to someone who isn't in healthcare."
The terminal was a busy spot for the team. Transit riders, downtown office workers, and local shoppers stopped by throughout the morning. The program collected over sixty readings, and the data will be anonymized and shared with the City of Wrenford's public health unit to help track community wellness trends.
Chloé noted that the Allied Health & Wellness program at Wrenford Polytechnic focuses on applied skills. "Our students spend a lot of time in labs and simulations, but this is what it is all about: using what they have learned to help their neighbours."
The health check stations closed at 2:00 p.m. The school plans to host more pop-up clinics across the City of Wrenford in the coming months. Students interested in joining the next event can contact the Allied Health & Wellness department.