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Students and faculty from ������Ƶ recently showcased their expertise and commitment to health and wellness at the National Academy of Health and Physical Literacy Summit held in Newport, R.I., on March 4 and 5. Not only were Central students and faculty key participants in this summit, but the university’s Community Health Education Clinic also won the academy’s regional Community Health and Physical Literacy Champion Award.

The award recognizes advocates of physical literacy through the healthy physical development of the “whole” person. Awardees are leaders who advocate for healthy, active lifestyles and exemplify mastery of their field or discipline; demonstrate exemplary leadership and service; and embody equity, diversity, and inclusion in programming and decisions, among other criteria.

“We are incredibly proud of the contributions our students and faculty made at this year’s summit,” said Central Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly Kostelis. “This recognition underscores Central’s commitment to community engagement and real-world health education on the local and national levels.”

Throughout the summit, Team Central hosted an inter-professional community health education booth at which students and faculty worked together to provide attendees with valuable health screenings, assessments, and educational materials. This hands-on approach highlighted the university's dedication to improving health literacy and fostering healthier communities.

In addition to the interactive booth, Central faculty members led presentations and delivered the keynote address.

Drs. Tan Leng Goh and Kelly McCarthy led a session on “Social and Emotional Learning Lessons for Preschool Children” and Dr. Jay Kandiah discussed “Growing Gracefully in Health, Vitality, and Beauty.”

Keynote speakers Dr. Paula Talty and Dr. Toni Ryan presented “Coherent Systems and Collaborative Leadership: Leading for Collective Efficacy,” which focused on the power of collaborative leadership and how it fosters mutually beneficial relationships among organizational and community partners.

The Central Community Health Education Clinic provides students in healthcare-related programs with invaluable experiential learning opportunities with the oversight of faculty and healthcare professionals, including physical therapist and clinic program coordinator Lisa McMahon. The clinic is a key component to Central’s new College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, which encompasses the Nursing, Social Work, Nurse Anesthesia Practice, Physical Education and Human Performance, and Counselor Education departments.

“Our university opened the Community Health Education Clinic one year ago. Its focus is to provide access to health screenings and provide programming to an underserved community,” said Central President Zulma R. Toro. “Through interdisciplinary collaborations like this, we will pave the way for better health outcomes and stronger local partnerships.”