NDA-HEALTH NOW-New Orleans™

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NDA-HEALTH NOW-New Orleans™ and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity  Partner for Dental Health at the Kappa Conclave

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, and the National Dental Association (NDA- HEALTH NOW™) partnered for dental health, co-hosting two events in New Orleans, during the national Annual Conclave of the fraternity. Dr. Romell Madision, NDA Past President and Conclave National Chair, led the effort. The events were a part of the “Healthy Kappas, Healthy Communities” initiative and the NDA-HEALTH NOW™ (“Health Equity, Access, Literacy, Technology and Hope. National Outreach on Wheels”), NDA’s national signature project. Both organizations have similar missions to improve health equity, increase access and eliminate health disparities. The collaborative effort was made possible with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and The Coca-Cola Foundation. Corporate partners included: Colgate-Palmolive Company, Henry Schein Cares, Philips-Sonicare, and Sunstar. The two organizations were joined by a large network of the NDA-HEALTH NOW-New Orleans™ community partners.

The first event was a Back-to-School children’s community outreach program held at the Treme Recreation Center, 900 Villere St., New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday, August 8, 2015 from 10:00am – 2:00pm. Colgate’s Bright smiles/Bright Futures van provided the children’s dental screenings and referrals. The event also featured health education and health screenings for adults. The participating 300 children received a “Passport to Total Health”, which took them on a journey through an educational circuit consisting of 7 stations. The educational stations provided information on nutrition and diet; exercise and fitness; oral hygiene and health; sports safety and injury prevention; health careers, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). At the end of their “journey” each child received a back pack, school supplies, and healthy snacks and treats.

The second event was held at the Morial Convention Center for the fraternity’s Conclave attendees. Over 7,000 members of the fraternity attended the convention. One hundred fifty (150) members received health screenings, and participated in a survey about Diabetes and oral health.

Kudos and commendations to all who contributed to the success of these events including: Alice Craft-Kerney, RN, BSN (NDA-HEALTH NOW-New Orleans™ Project coordinator), NDA local members: Drs. Wanda and Terrence Augillard, Stephen Briscoe, Robert Spears, Sr., Robert Spears, Jr.; LSU Student National Dental Association, Xavier University College of Pharmacy students. The planners are especially thankful for the support of ALL community partners and volunteers, including: Capital One, Acadian Ambulance, the Children’s Bureau of New Orleans, Primary Eye Care, and LSU AG Center.

Founded in 1911, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. has over 150,000 members with 721 undergraduate and alumni chapters in every state of the United States, and international chapters in the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, Japan, United States Virgin Islands, Nigeria, and South Africa. Kappa Alpha Psi sponsors programs providing community service, social welfare and academic scholarships. Guide Right is a program for the educational and occupational guidance of youth in high schools and colleges. Other Kappa programs are the Kappa League, a series of activities designed to help young high school male students develop their leadership talents, provide both challenging and rewarding experiences to enhance their lives; and “Healthy Kappas, Healthy Communities”.

NDA-HEALTH NOW™ programs are currently active in Chicago, Dallas, New York, and San Francisco/Oakland. The project forms partnerships with community organizations, dental schools, multi-cultural health professional groups, faith-based entities, community health centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, schools and senior citizen communities to increase access to health care. For more information about the Project and to make donations, visit: www.ndaonline.org/healthnow.

NATIONAL DENTAL ASSOCIATION TO LAUNCH NDA-HEALTH NOW-New Orleans™

July 14, 2014, Washington, DC- The National Dental Association (NDA) will launch a grassroots, community-based health project as part of its 101^st Annual Convention, on Friday, July 25, 2014, at the Treme Recreation Center, 900 Villere St., New Orleans, LA, from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The health event will be hosted for the Treme Center’s Summer Camp children, their families, and the surrounding community. The project is made possible with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The Coca-Cola Foundation and the Aetna Foundation. Corporate partners are: A-dec, ADI-MOBILE, Colgate-Palmolive, Crest-Oral B, Henry Schein Cares, Patterson Dental, Philips Sonicare, and Sunstar Americas, Inc.

The Treme Center event will include information on health education, nutrition and fitness, health screenings, and opportunities to “Ask the Experts”. Colgate’s Bright Smiles/Bright Futures vans will be on site to provide the children’s screening activities, face paintings, and fun with Mr. Rabbit, Colgate’s mascot. NDA-HEALTH NOW™ programs are currently active in Chicago, Dallas, and New York. The project forms partnerships with community organizations, dental schools, multi-cultural health professional groups, faith-based entities, community health centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, schools and senior citizen communities to increase access to health care. Future plans include the purchase and staffing of “mixed-use” mobile health units for each city equipped for medical screening, vision screening, and dental services.

Currently, NDA-HEALTH NOW-New Orleans™ is forming a local Advisory Committee, recruiting community partners, and developing local inter-professional leadership teams. Key elements of the project will include: 1) establishing referral networks for Medicaid and Medicare patients; 2) compiling resource directories of providers and pharmacies; and 3) developing and disseminating culturally and linguistically appropriate integrated medical-dental messages. Collaborations will be formed with other health professional groups, and multi-cultural organizations. NDA members constitute a massive network of providers and volunteers who have been the backbone of programs that strive to reach millions of underserved children and their families who do not have access to health care. The organization is dedicated to increasing access and supporting their members to remain in communities where they are needed most.

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