Members of the community enjoyed a day of free health care and education during the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine’s first-ever Community Health Fair Saturday, February 8.

Organized by members of ICOM’s Community Outreach Committee, led by Kiefer Starks, OMS-II, Faith Spratt, OMS-II and Michal Kozdronkiewicz, OMS-I, this event allowed the college’s first and second year medical students — supervised by physician faculty members — an opportunity to practice their clinical skills.

“The ICOM Community Health Fair is an initiative that allows medical students to be involved in making a contribution to the health of the community by providing free access to health services,” Student-Doctor Starks said. “We hope to make this an annual event that positively impacts the local community.”

Attendees received complimentary health screenings, osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), health education and a variety of resources to support community members. Additionally, the Saint Alphonsus Mobile Mammography Bus was on-site, with health care providers providing digital mammography, clinical breast exams and bone density screenings. Representatives from St. Luke’s Health System also taught a number of “Stop the Bleed” courses, during which participants learned how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and intervene effectively.

“ICOM’s first annual health fair was a great success! Our medical students were able to practice their skills while providing high quality health screenings for our neighbors and friends,” said Dr. Thomas Mohr, ICOM Dean and Chief Academic Officer. “ICOM is the Treasure Valley’s own medical school and we look forward to being a valuable resource for health promotion and disease prevention in partnership with our colleagues in the local medical community.”

From examining, treating and directing patients, to setting up booths and ensuring that equipment and supplies were available throughout the event, nearly 120 ICOM students were involved in the fair.