The Caring for the Community initiative comprises six ongoing community-based programs that serve as learning laboratories for our nursing students and provide research and practice opportunities for the faculty and students in the college. This initiative focuses on helping individuals and communities prosper while providing community-based healthcare that is accessible and affordable. The practices enable the formerly underserved individuals in our communities to manage and optimize their quality of life. Figure 1 depicts the practices. Descriptions of each established practice follow.
Practitioners provide family centered holistic care to women and children.
There were 170 new obstetrics patients and more than 200 new gynecology patients at the East Cooper practice this year. The school-based clinics provide comprehensive primary and acute care to students at the three elementary, one middle and one high school who might not otherwise receive health care. With this initiative, quality of life is improved and future health disparities eliminated. The Parish Nurse Program is a specialized practice of professional nursing that focuses on the promotion of health within the context of values, beliefs and practices of faith communities. Currently, several denominations in Charleston and Hampton counties and McClellanville are participating in the program.