September 25, 2023

Medical students volunteer with Wayne Pediatrics to distribute supplies to Detroiters at health department’s Block Party

Medical students volunteered to run the Wayne Pediatrics' exercise station at the Detroit Health Department's Block Party earlier this month.

Wayne Pediatrics attended the Detroit Health Department’s second annual block party Sept. 9 to share health and wellness information with residents of metropolitan Detroit.

In attendance were several medical students volunteering from the Wayne State University School of Medicine, Wayne Pediatrics physicians and administration, as well as staff from The Horizons Project, a clinic providing HIV care and prevention.

The event, which took place on John R. Street adjacent to the Wayne Pediatrics 400 Mack Ave. clinic in Detroit, sought to promote healthy living through various themed stations, including literacy, nutrition, exercise and HIV prevention.

Associate Professor of Pediatrics Lynn Smitherman, M.D., greets visitors to her Wayne Pediatrics' station on childhood literacy.

Wayne Pediatrics served 965 residents, giving away 100 jump ropes and soccer balls, nearly 200 Frisbees, 600 bags of fresh produce, 350 children’s books and 863 articles of clothing. The tables were set up as a treasure hunt, with the phrase “treasure your health” encouraging children to visit each station to earn a prize.

“It was a pleasure to work with the Detroit Health Department on their Block Party event,” said Professor of Pediatrics Eric McGrath, M.D. ’04, an infectious disease specialist at Wayne Pediatrics. “We were able to involve our clinical teams from Wayne Pediatrics and Horizons Project, along with students from the Wayne State University School of Medicine, with support from our Michigan State Medical Society Foundation grant.”

To learn more about Wayne Pediatrics, visit waynepediatrics.org