KINGSTON, R.I. – June 4, 2013 – The University of Rhode Island and West Kingston Elementary School collaborated earlier this spring to present a Health and Wellness Day at the elementary school for almost 300 children.

Twenty-two pharmacy students and one nursing student from URI provided education and hands-on activities on various topics, including nutrition, dance and exercise, poison prevention, medication safety, asthma, hand hygiene, and smoking prevention.

Kelly Matson and Kelly Orr, URI clinical associated professors of pharmacy practice, teamed up with school nurse Debi Vannoy and physical education teacher Kris Shumate to plan the event, which is a continuing part of pediatric outreach within the URI College of Pharmacy.

Health fair materials were sponsored by grants from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the South Kingstown Educational Foundation.

Pictured above:

Jessica Degiacomo, left, and Lauri Susienka, URI College of Pharmacy students, educate the West Kingston Elementary School kindergarten class on medication safety.

Andrew Hatt, left, and Bradley Pease, URI College of Pharmacy students, educate the West Kingston Elementary School grades 3 and 4 students on smoking prevention.