The Wellness Connection is a collaborative partnership between TMC and community partners. There are currently three Wellness Connections in Kansas City, Missouri, and are located at the Don Bosco English as a Second Language School, the Bluford Library, and the Palestine Senior Activity Center.

. The innovative platform creates new solutions tailored to the health issues of the community and provides education so community members can advocate for their own health, while taking the proper steps to reduce risk and fight chronic diseases. The Community Health Nurse tracks and measures improvement in self-management with an ultimate goal of reducing Emergency Department visits for manageable health care needs. 

The Wellness Connection offers a physical space with a blood pressure cuff and a litany of health education and resources. Programs are designed based on the need of the community, and include the Weight Loss Challenge at Bluford Library, and educational field trips at KCNA, utilizing the Healthy Harvest Mobile Market and the Mobile Wellness Unit.

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In response to the health disparities, Truman Medical Centers and the Bluford Library developed a 12 week Weight Loss Challenge. The Challenge consisted of work out classes, weekly educational topics, cooking demos, and fresh produce from the Healthy Harvest Mobile Market. Pre and Post screenings measured total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LD), body mass index (BMI), weight, height, body part percentage, waist circumference, glucose, and blood pressure. Dr. Lindquist, TMC’s weight loss doctor, also conducted popular Q & A sessions for interested participants. 

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Diabetes Self-Management Program is directed towards persons with diabetes, and their relatives who need information on self-care. The program is designed based on participatory education methodology. It utilizes principles of adult education and group work techniques that promote learning as well as progression towards a healthy lifestyle.

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CDSMP is an effective self-management education program for people with chronic health problems. The program specifically addresses arthritis, diabetes, lung and heart disease, but teaches skills useful for managing a variety of chronic diseases.

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Truman Medical Centers hosts two Medical Explorers Programs through the Boy Scouts of America/Exploring. High school students enjoy monthly hands-on workshops which include suturing pig’s feet and putting an arm cast on a fellow Explorer. Additionally, Truman Medical Centers staff including physicians, allied health and nursing professionals, share relevant information about the healthcare professions. High school and middle school students get an opportunity to learn about educational paths that can lead to professional school admission as well as an array of career options in the health care field.

Truman Medical Centers Education Services hosts a 2 week summer camp for Blue Springs Middle School students interested in a healthcare career. These 2 weeks include hands-on activities and simulations in physical and occupational therapy, pharmacy compounding to create your own lip balm, CPR certification training, and more. Additionally, TMC staff including physicians and allied health and nursing professionals, share relevant information about medical and nursing professions. High school and middle school students get an opportunity to learn about educational paths and programs that can lead to professional school admission.

UMKC Summer Scholars program allows area high school juniors and seniors to experience the clinical setting. Education Services coordinates with UMKC to place students in observation opportunities within the hospital. Didactic sessions in sciences and observing emergency services, rehabilitation services, internal medicine, and nursing services give students a feel for life as a medical, nursing or allied student. Students also gain hands-on experience in the medical simulation lab. Summer Scholars participants often apply for the UMKC Medical School Six-Year program.

The Pathways to Nursing program matches high school students currently enrolled in Manual Career and Technical Centers’ Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program with nursing staff members at TMC. Students observe TMC nurses through rotations in med/surg, telemetry and PACU inpatient units and are able to receive mentoring from nursing professionals at all career levels. The program provides an opportunity for students to investigate various nursing specialty areas in addition to providing a pathway to employment at TMC.

Shadowing a healthcare professional is a great way to understand what their professional duties are in the course of a day. Shadowing is also frequently a requirement for admission to professional schools. Students over the age of 16 and adults can shadow at one of our Truman Medical Centers locations: Health Science District or Lakewood campus. Ask a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare staff to shadow them on one of their shifts at the hospital to experience a day on their job with them. PLEASE NOTE: we do not match shadows with a health professional. Please be sure to confirm someone to shadow before going through the application process.