As coronavirus continues to spread, YCC Members received a timely visit from Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics’ Director of Community Health Outreach, Michael Smith, earlier this week. Michael spoke with our members about The Community Care Connection. This is a resource that Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics is offering to YCC members and to communities within Lake County.
Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics’ website states: “The Community Care Connection is a mobile health vehicle that travels throughout Lake County, offering residents free flu shots, a variety of free health screenings, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), osteoporosis screenings and foot exams, and sports physicals- all free of charge.”
Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics’ Director of Community Health Outreach, Michael Smith, helps a women out of a mobile health vehicle
The Community Care Connection fills in some of the gaps in healthcare access within Lake County, where YCC serves. Basic healthcare services are inaccessible for many residents of Lake County for a variety of reasons. This is especially true for low-income individuals, like our members .
During his visit, Michael led our members inside the vehicle and showed them the small but efficiently organized exam rooms within the vehicle. After giving our members a tour of the mobile health vehicle, Michael offered them some guidance. He connected with them by explaining the difficulties he had in early education. He detailed how he overcame these obstacles to eventually become the Director of Community Health Outreach at Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics. He also gave them practical advice about how they can get a start in the medical field, continue their education, and work their way up an organization as he did.
Michael Smith sharing his experience with Youth Conservation Corps members.
Finally, he wrapped up his visit by explaining to YCC members some preventative measures to slow the spread of epidemics. “You should wash your hands with soap and hot, not warm, water. It should take as long as it takes to sing the happy birthday song in your head. And for those who can sing quickly, sing it twice” he told them.
We at Youth Conservation Corps thank Michael Smith for stopping by and sharing his experience and expertise with our members. We look forward to working with him and Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinics in the future.
