Service Learning: Supporting Community Health
after a Hurricane
Bonnie K. Webster, MS, RN, BC
M. Kay Sandor, PhD, RN, LPC, AHN-BC
University of Texas Medical BranchSchool of NursingGalveston, Texas
Objectives
1. Describe the effects of Hurricane Ike
2. Identify the process of recovery
3. Discuss the needs assessment
4. Describe the service learning activity
Background - Hurricane Ike
September 13, 2008
Category 3
Storm Surge –10-12 feet
Galveston Island – Barrier Island
Flooding covered most of the Island
The Effects of Hurricane Ike
Five churches destroyed
Individual parishes merged
Feelings of loss and anger
Effects on body, mind, and spirit (PTSD-PISD)
Eight of nine churches flooded
The Process of Recovery
• Stewardship leaders gathered
• Feelings of loss/suffering expressed
• Ministries were merged
• New leaders emerged
• Churches re-opened and rebuilt
Sacred Heart Holy Rosary St. Patrick
Mary, Star of the Sea
Our Lady by the Sea
Fr. John Bok
The Needs Assessment
• Needs unknown
• Survey developed• Collaboration among ministry leaders• Strategy for data collection defined• Parish priests actively involved
Data CollectionSurvey Topics
• Demographics• Parish organizations• Religious education• Pastoral care• Senior ministry• Special projects• Liturgical/Sacramental• Parish care needs
Data CollectionCommunity Service Learning
• Students enlisted in service learning
• Data collection
• Data entry
Data CollectionSurvey Findings
• 646 responses• Findings significant to health ministry
• Health Fair – 264 (41%)• BP screening• Blood glucose screening• Cholesterol screening
• Flu shots – 234 (36%)• Anointing of the sick – 233 (36%)• Health tips in bulletin – 202 (31%)
The Service Learning Activity
• Interprofessional Healthy Living Event
• Blending of faculty service and academia
• Existing model utilized
• Health education and screening provided
• Meeting the needs of diverse community• Ethnic• Economic
Healthy Living Event
• Held in parish facility on Sunday• Stations organized to facilitate flow
• 3 student leaders emerged • 10 stations set up• Clients directed to follow the design
• Services provided included • Screening• Health Education• Counseling• Referrals
Health Living EventService Learning Outcome
• 150 parishioners served
• 46 nursing students
• 14 medical students
• 5 health professions students
• 8 nursing faculty
• 1 health professions faculty
Conclusions
• Hurricane Ike devastated the entire Island
• Catholic faith community torn apart
• Significant effects on mind, body and spirit
• Activity served to reunite the former parishes
• Integration between personal and professional
I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and the willingness to remain vulnerable.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
