Nov. 13, 2006

VCU helps teen girls boost their health knowledge and explore health careers

VCU sponsors first Young Women’s Health Day

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By Sathya Achia Abraham

The VCU Institute for Women’s Health's Wendy Klein, M.D., (right) and Dr. Antoinne Exum, a School of Dentistry alum and basketball coach at Huguenot High School, answer health questions posed by the students. Photo by Martha M. Bushong, M.S., VCU School of Dentistry
The VCU Institute for Women’s Health's Wendy Klein, M.D., (right) and Dr. Antoinne Exum, a School of Dentistry alum and basketball coach at Huguenot High School, answer health questions posed by the students. Photo by Martha M. Bushong, M.S., VCU School of Dentistry

Approximately 600 teenage girls packed the gymnasium of Huguenot High School to learn what it takes to be healthy, eat right and get inspired for a future in the health care field.

The young women at Huguenot High School participated in the first ever Young Women’s Health Day event held Friday, Nov. 10. Led by the VCU Institute for Women's Health and the VCU Women in Medicine Student Organization, and supported by the VCU Office of Community Outreach and the Office for Workforce Development, the event was held to provide health education and to promote health career opportunities for young women.

“We need to promote healthy behavior at a younger age, and to empower these teenaged girls with education. We also need to demystify science and health care,” said Wendy Klein, M.D., an associate professor in the VCU School of Medicine and co-founder and senior deputy director of the VCU Institute for Women’s Health. “In addition, we need to make strides to increase the pipeline of students who are interested in health and science careers. Our program served to meet both those ends.”  

A student learns some simple exercises from Gene Townsel, a personal trainer at American Family Fitness, during Young Women’s Health Day. Photo by Martha M. Bushong, M.S., VCU School of Dentistry
A student learns some simple exercises from Gene Townsel, a personal trainer at American Family Fitness, during Young Women’s Health Day. Photo by Martha M. Bushong, M.S., VCU School of Dentistry

A presentation by Julia Nunley, M.D., a professor in dermatology in the VCU School of Medicine, titled “What Not to Wear; the Real Costs of Tattoos, Hair Braiding, Piercing & Acrylic Nails,” highlighted some of the risks associated with being stylish. Patricia Selig, R.N., Ph.D., from the VCU schools of Nursing and Medicine, discussed the importance of making healthy choices when it comes to nutrition. Natalie Moses, a women’s health nurse practitioner from the VCU School of Medicine, talked about teen pregnancy and the importance of prenatal care. And Gene Townsel, a personal trainer with American Family Fitness, showed the group how easily they could fit physical activity into their daily lives with a few simple exercises.

Following the presentations, students had the opportunity to visit information booths and learn about teen issues, nutrition, bone health, healthy relationships, sports and fitness, cancer, self-image and self-confidence. Additionally, VCU experts from radiation sciences, nursing, medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, forensics, dentistry, clinical laboratory sciences, respiratory care services and emergency medical services, talked with participants about career possibilities.

More than 80 volunteers from across the VCU Medical Center helped run the event. Support also came from local radio station 92.1 and popular disc jockey Kay Montey, the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, American Family Fitness and the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood. Additional support came from Huguenot High School teachers and leadership.