USF Health College of Nursing leads wellness challenge in Wimauma community

The USF Health College of Nursing developed a five-month wellness challenge aimed at improving spiritual, physical and psychological health throughout Wimauma and Ruskin communities.

“The focus is on improving the collective health of the community, one person and family at a time,” explained Director of Alumni and Community Relations Alicia Rossiter, PhD. “A community is only as strong and as healthy as the individuals living in that community.”

The college’s Chief Officer of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Ivonne Hernandez, PhD, and Rossiter initially started brainstorming the idea of a wellness challenge with Carlos Irizarry, Wholesome Community Ministries’ pastor, in 2021. The vision officially came to life at the first health fair on February 27, 2022.

Nineteen partners from across USF and Hillsborough County attended, each providing different health and wellness care.

Eight undergraduate students are also onsite as part of their Public Health practicum. The students are working with each participant for screening, creating health goals and monitoring progress throughout the five months. At the end, students will review the data and identify the overall impact of the health fairs on each participant’s health. With this information, they will be able to determine resources and referrals best fit for each participant based on their needs.

“This event allows the students to see the impact of community engagement and the importance of addressing social determinants of health all focused on mitigating the impact of physical and psychosocial stressors and improving overall health and wellbeing,” said Rossiter.

The five-month challenge officially started in February 2022 and runs until June 2022. Community members can attend the monthly health fairs for free and receive flu vaccines, counseling, evaluations and giveaways.

The remaining health fairs take place at Wholesome Church, 16110 S. U.S. 301, Wimauma, FL, 22598, on the following dates:

• April 24
• May 22
• June 26

The days will begin with Health Conversations at 11 a.m. followed by the Health Fair at 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. A community 5k Walk/Run will take place on May 21, 2022.

Story by Cassidy Delamarter