On November 19, the College of Pharmacy partnered with the Oregon Alliance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education (AWARE), a CDC-funded program at the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) Public Health Division, to provide the Portland community with education on appropriate antibiotic use. The event was held during the CDC’s national Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, which was November 15-21.
The event occurred from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Pioneer Courthouse Square in downtown Portland. Students arrived as early as 6 a.m. to ensure coverage of the event on the KGW (Portland’s NBC affiliate) morning newscast. It was cold and rainy during part of the day but the students stuck out the elements to get the word out about antibiotic resistance, appropriate antibiotic use, and proper prevention.
COP Faculty, Tamara Peterson from DHS, and 40 student volunteers (39 P3 and 1 P4) were present throughout the day to spread the message. The public was surveyed to gauge the perception of antibiotics. Then, they were provided information handouts, information, and prizes. There was a giant nose that “sneezed,” coloring books, and balloons for children. Dr. Jessina McGregor and Tam Peterson were also interviewed for a Spanish language television station.
Throughout the course of the day, more than 650 people were educated about appropriate antibiotic use, hand hygiene, and immunizations. Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped in the planning and implementation of this event. Without you this would not have been possible.
– Story courtesy of Lindsey Childress and Dr. Jessina McGregor