Community Health Symposium Aims to Address Urgent Health Issues
PEMBROKE – For Chyna Hammonds, a graduate student in social work at UNC Pembroke, the Community Health & Wellness Symposium was not just an academic gathering—it was an eye-opening experience.
Hammonds listened as experts discussed crucial health disparities, gaining access to resources she plans to share with her clients at the mental health and substance abuse treatment center where she interns.
The symposium aimed to foster vital conversations on pressing issues ranging from Indigenous health disparities to inclusive sex education, postpartum depression, and collaborative solutions for health equity. Dr. Eva Skuka, dean of the College of Health Sciences, expressed that the event’s goal was to create a platform for open dialogues. She stated, ‘Our goal with this symposium was to foster open and honest conversations about critical health issues affecting our communities.’
Over 130 attendees participated in the event, featuring 20 presenters and several UNCP students from various academic disciplines, including social work, nursing, and counseling.
Jordan Dew, an MSW student, shared, ‘I gained invaluable knowledge working with Indigenous communities and research methods. It was great to hear from a diverse range of experts on how to increase health outcomes for the community.’
The keynote session, led by Dr. Ronny Bell, chair of the Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, spotlighted unique health challenges faced by American Indian communities in North Carolina. He emphasized the disparities in chronic disease rates and healthcare access.
Dr. Bell remarked, ‘I applaud UNC Pembroke for bringing people together to discuss significant issues that affect our communities.’
With a focus on student involvement in these discussions, Dr. Skuka highlighted the importance of networking opportunities with local experts, aiming to prepare students to tackle these topics in innovative ways.
She concluded, ‘We hope they will continue the effort and look for innovative solutions when they leave our classrooms.’
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