Vance-Granville Community College’s School of Health Sciences recently had the opportunity to participate in the Interprofessional Healthcare Team Discovery Day, sponsored by Cabarrus College of Health Sciences. The students particularly appreciated the event’s poverty simulation. This tool helped them reflect on where they are, see through the lens of their classmates and patients, and understand how their roles impact the care of all individuals. After the fact, the students reflected on the experience and shared their perspectives:
“I participated in a scenario of being poor and paying bills, food, going to work, and managing a certain amount of money every week. The activity made me emotional because it reminded me of my childhood. The activity made me look at my patients differently, not just thinking about their life in the hospital but [that] they also have a life outside of the hospital and what they possibly go through in their daily lives.”
“It was a very fun experience collaborating with students from different fields and getting more comfortable with it. I learned a lot, and I really enjoyed this college and its staff. I felt welcomed the whole time, and I feel like a gained a lot from the experience.”
Several members of the College’s faculty and staff joined students at the event: Mercedes Kamoru, Medical Assisting Program Head; Dr. Erica Fleming, Pharmacy Program Head; Jamisha Twitty, Clinical Coordinator for Radiography; Gabrielle Taylor, Health Sciences Career & Success Coach; and James Hawkins, Academic Advisor. We hope to continue collaborating with our external partners who support the continuous process of our students’ journeys.
