MCPHS Students and Faculty Bring Health and Wellness to Veterans at Worcester Stand Down

Optometry, nursing, and dental hygiene students provide vision screenings, dental exams, and nutritional support.

Optometry, nursing, and dental hygiene students and faculty from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) shared their health and wellness expertise with more than 500 veterans at the 19th annual Stand Down, a veteran-focused resource fair held in Worcester. The event, organized by Veterans Inc., a nonprofit providing services to veterans across New England, took place at the National Guard Armory on Grove Street. About 150 providers and employers offered free haircuts, food, clothes, personal care items, career resources, and connections to assistance programs.

Inside the historic armory, a dozen students from the School of Optometry, dressed in their MCPHS scrubs, conducted vision screenings. Many veterans had lost or broken their glasses, with some going without optical correction for weeks or months, said Dr. Larry Baitch, Associate Dean for Research and optometry professor. He noted that they served 250% more veterans and their families this year compared to last year. The team provided referrals to the MCPHS Eye and Vision Center, a few blocks from Veterans Inc. headquarters. Participating faculty included Dr. Dick Martino, a Navy veteran himself, and Dr. Lenny Contardo.

Dr. Baitch emphasized the event strengthens the University’s relationship with the Worcester community and “provides a valuable service to our veterans,” which holds personal significance for him. His son, Army Sgt. 1st Class Colten Baitch, served four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. “This is especially important to me because of my son’s service,” Dr. Baitch said. “We are honored to participate.”

Outside the armory, MCPHS nursing students and professors set up a booth offering fresh bananas, apples, oranges, peanut butter, pasta, cereal bars, and pet treats. Donations came from Stop & Shop, Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, Shaw’s Supermarkets, Daniel’s Table, and Petco. This was the second year the School of Nursing participated in the event.

“We brought awareness to the troubling issue of food insecurity while giving students the chance to engage with veterans and connect them with service organizations,” Associate Professor Catherine Carroca said. Joining her were Assistant Professor Erica Bush and three nursing students, Amber Dumas, Gabriella Woodward, and Jamieson Gateb. “The brave men and women of our country should never go without the basic necessity of food,” Dr. Carroca added.

The event, held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 21, also featured dental screenings provided by Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene students and faculty. Under the guidance of Dr. Jaymi Adams and Assistant Professor Robert Smethers, an Air Force veteran, students Jennifer Lima, Trinh Phung, and Nicole Breton conducted oral exams and provided referrals to the Forsyth Dental Hygiene Clinic. Veterans also received a dental care pack with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Dr. Adams noted community events like Stand Down help students to foster a “sense of professional responsibility and empathy as well as to improve their communication and collaboration.”

Stand Down events, held in various cities nationwide, honor local veterans and provide an opportunity for veterans to access essential services, including healthcare, housing assistance, employment counseling, legal aid, wellness programs, and more.

"These events expose students to diverse populations, let them see real-world impacts of social determinants of health, and provide opportunities to apply health promotion and disease prevention in the community," Dr. Adams said.

Students and faculty from the University’s Boston campus are scheduled to participate in another Stand Down on Sept. 20 at Boston City Hall Plaza, organized by the New England Center and Home for Veterans.