Office of Community Engagement and Health Programs Update
The Office of Community and Health Programs, together with Dr. Daryl Lofaso, Assistant
Professor, and Ms. Alicia Tate, NRP instructor in the Simulation Lab, hosted the SPRING
STEM NOLA Fellows Workshop. The Office of Community Engagement and Health Programs
is led by Dr. Robert T. Maupin, Associate Dean, with support from Dr. Geri Davis,
Outreach Director, and Ms. Joell Lee, Office Coordinator.
Area high school students who participate in the STEM NOLA Program and their parents
were able to take part in a STOP THE BLEED activity in the simulation lab, as well
as engage in a panel discussion led by Drs. Maupin, Detiege, Winfield and a host of
residents and medical students on careers in healthcare.
The students and parents came away with a better understanding of how to stop someone
from bleeding in an emergency and with a better understanding of healthcare careers.
The participants reported that the event was very educational and a fun learning opportunity.
Just a few weeks later, the office participated in STEM FEST DAY on March 15 at the
Caesars Superdome. The event, hosted by The New Orleans Saints, Pelicans, and Chevron,
brings local students together to participate in various science, technology, engineering,
math, and medicine (STEMM) activities. Participants were able to receive blood pressure
screenings, examine medical specimens, receive dental utensils, and perform CPR on
a human simulator with the assistance of medical school students and Dr. Vadym V.
Rusnak, Assistant Professor of Medical Education Simulation Lab.
In April, Dr. Maupin, Ms. Lee, and several medical school students engaged with high
school students from the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) partner 
school, Belle Chasse Academy. Topics covered included healthcare career choices and
college preparations. The Belle Chasse HOSA students were also able to learn about
heart and lung sounds in the state-of-the-art simulation lab with Dr. Lafaso and Ms.
Tate.