Many opportunities exist at Belmont for physical therapy students to get involved on the health front, both on and off campus. One of these opportunities—arguably among the most exciting according to past participants—is a series of annual health fairs held for fourth grade students each year. The event has become an annual occurrence in Dr. Pat Sells’ Health and Wellness course for second-year physical therapy students.
The most recent fair benefited over 200 local fourth grade students from both Carter Lawrence Elementary in the Edgehill community and East Cheatham Elementary. Participating students got the opportunity to teach a series of health and wellness topics, and to conduct fun activities with the children. Topics included safety, heart health, physical activity, dental health, nutrition, healthy bones, and smoking.

The material cost for this year’s wellness booklets were funded by Belmont University Center for Community Health and Health Equity. In addition to the wellness booklets, children were each given a toothbrush and jump rope provided by a physical therapy student’s father, Jeffrey B. Clark, DDS. He explained that he was happy to use his access to these bulk items (toothbrushes and jump ropes) to create a memorable experience for both the children and the physical therapy students involved.