More than 40 community members gathered at BetterHealth in Fayetteville for a recent “Fall into Health” event focused on fall prevention, healthy aging, and staying active.
More than 40 community members gathered at BetterHealth in Fayetteville for a recent “Fall into Health” event focused on fall prevention, healthy aging, and staying active.
In partnership with BetterHealth, students from the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine helped lead participants through practical ways to reduce their risk of falls, including keeping homes well lit, removing tripping hazards, wearing proper non-slip footwear, and knowing when a fall or balance concern should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Students made the education interactive through a Family Feud-style game that encouraged participants to test their knowledge while learning practical strategies for fall prevention.
“The most meaningful part of participating was seeing attendees engage with the activities and find joy in something as simple as learning how to prevent falls. It reminded me how deeply people value community and connection,” said Alexandra Froud ’30D.
The experience also gave students an opportunity to consider how community engagement can shape the practice of medicine.
“More importantly, the experience reinforced the importance of becoming the kind of physician who remembers that patients are people, not cases to be solved. Medicine is not only about diagnosing and treating disease; it’s also about building relationships and making patients feel seen and valued,” Froud said.
The event was part of an ongoing partnership between the School of Medicine and BetterHealth. Students regularly volunteer with the organization, supporting health education, community programming, and other initiatives that address the needs of residents.
“This is such a wonderful collaboration and opportunity for our community and the School of Medicine students,” said Christiana Adeyemi, executive director of BetterHealth. “It gives students hands-on experience interacting with community members and learning about the services available here.”
Adeyemi said she is especially excited that the partnership extends beyond individual events, with students continuing to volunteer with BetterHealth throughout the month.
“It’s a win all around, and we look forward to continuing to create opportunities for students to learn, serve and engage with the community,” she said.
For D’Asia Johnson, manager of Community Engagement for the School of Medicine, the partnership creates opportunities for students to learn directly from the community while making a meaningful contribution.
“Our medical students did a wonderful job leading the fall prevention event in partnership with BetterHealth. We have built a great partnership, and I am especially excited about the opportunities this relationship creates for both our students and the community,” Johnson said. “Our students volunteer with BetterHealth regularly throughout the month, supporting health education, community programming, and other areas where they can make a meaningful contribution.”
Along with health education, attendees enjoyed a free lunch, games, prizes and raffles. Each participant also received a pair of fall-prevention socks and School of Medicine merchandise as a thank-you for taking part.
Through partnerships like this one, School of Medicine students are gaining meaningful opportunities to engage with the community, contribute to health and wellness initiatives, and better understand the people and communities they will one day serve.