The School of Nursing at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is holding its 15th annual Festival of Health on Saturday, April 11, at the Mid-City Church of the Nazarene at 4101 University Ave., in the City Heights community of San Diego.The Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., however the dental clinic will open at 8 a.m. in order to meet community needs.
Saturday’s Festival is organized by students in PLNU’s School of Nursing. Over 20 local health care agencies, including Kaiser Permanente and the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, are partnering with this year’s event.
“We’re excited to be partnering with so many organizations,” said Mary Margaret Rowe, MSN, RN, director of the Health Promotion Clinic and adjunct professor of nursing. “The Festival is the hallmark event of the HPC and it continues to grow each year.” Together with community partners, students provide health education on a variety of health topics, focusing on the health needs of City Heights residents, many with limited access to health education and health care.
In addition to other healthcare services, this year’s Festival will offer free dental services through the Foundation for Worldwide Health, coordinated by Jordan N. Buzzell, DDS, MPH and PLNU Adjunct Faculty. “The initial focus for patients is community members from the City Heights area and the goal is to alleviate pain and suffering from acute or chronic dental conditions,” said Buzzell. With a volunteer team of licensed dentists and professional dental staff, routine restorative dental care (to include tooth-colored and silver fillings) and simple oral surgery care will be available.
Over 500 people are expected to attend Saturday’s Festival of Health which is open to the entire community and free for all attendees.