When Ronald Williams, M.D., director of the Pediatric Multidisciplinary Weight Loss Program, and colleagues, decided to conduct a community-based preventive program for area children, they found a generous partner for their volunteer efforts in the Kohl's Cares for Kids program. A $134,000 Kohl’s grant is enabling an obesity awareness, education, and prevention program, presented by Children’s Hospital in three schools in Cornwall-Lebanon, Harrisburg, and Lower Dauphin school districts.

The Kohl’s Cares for Kids Healthy Choices/Healthy Me initiative provides follow-up to body mass index notices that schools send to educate parents on their children’s scores, plus information on how to improve lifestyle habits. Information on unhealthy eating and exercise patterns is available as well, while hospital staff, in cooperation with school nurses, work with children who participate in program to engage them in healthy, active lifestyles.

The program, which is presented to children in the second, third, and fourth grades, is open to family members who may want to participate. Slated to run during the course of the school year, it aims not only toward weight loss but at improving general health.

A year-round free clinic, funded, organized, and run by College of Medicine students and residents is a tribute to the humanism emphasized at the College of Medicine. Currently conducted at the Bethesda Mission on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Lion Care Clinic treats residents of the shelter and others who have come to depend on the services provided. They are helped by Edward Bollard, M.D.,’93 MED who serves as director. Students provide physical examinations, take medial histories, offer health screenings for women—all with a physician volunteer on board to approve student diagnoses and recommendations.

The stories of patients having serious disorders detected and treated are numerous. Last summer, an unemployed man walked into the clinic complaining of poor vision.

A student at the clinic met with the man, and glaucoma was diagnosed. An ophthalmologist who provided treatment free of charge determined the patient would have been blind in three months. Instead, he was given free medication and appointments for follow-up care. After a few months, his condition had improved immeasurably.

The Lion Care Clinic is conducted with a $10,000 annual operating budget, primarily funded by Penn State University and philanthropy.  A recent $20,000 grant from the Association of American Medical Colleges is designated toward outfitting new space with furnishings and equipment, necessary as the result of the Bethesda Mission's planned relocation to new quarters.