Students Take Health into Their Own Hands

Author: Thomas McCann

The newly created Student Health Liaison Program, led by Director of Health and Wellness Education Yonna McShane, is revolutionizing the way students at Middlebury address health issues.
The program gives students the opportunity to discuss health concerns with knowledgable peers, rather than with an adult who may not relate to the students' situation. According to Mary McDonald '03, one of the core members of the program, the liaisons function as "intermediaries between students and the health center," something that perhaps Middlebury has been needed in recent years.
With various volunteers working for the program through the commons system and campus wide, the benefits are already filtering through to the students.
McShane was quick to acknowledge the contributions of the Student Liaison program toward the new Ross fitness facility. "This was totally a Student Health Liaison initiative to help improve and expand the use of the facility," she said. New equipment and educational posters helped develop this new facility while other initiatives have blossomed elsewhere on campus.
These initiatives, which include a discussion for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a panel discussion on sexual assault and workshops focusing on stress reduction, eating disorders and boosting your metabolism, have all occurred since the start of the year.
For the spring, McShane promises workshops on CPR, speakers on topics such as sleep deprivation and violence against women as well as colorful poster campaigns, such as those on sexually transmitted disease awarness that have appeared in Gifford and Forest halls.
The liaisons' dedication and commitment to the project demonstrates how important it is to them. Julia Assael '03 stated that "the Middlebury campus needed students who were aware of the health issues that surrounded them, and I wanted to become a part of that." She also voiced the purpose of the entire program when she declared, "I am there for anyone who has questions or concerns regarding any type of health issues." Fellow volunteer Eric Blacher '05 revealed that "the art of healing is my greatest passion and the Health Liaison position is one avenue that I can take to do my part for the College community."
Although the program is still young, its future looks bright. The Health Fair scheduled for March 17 will provide an opportunity for the members of the Student Health Liaison Program to be seen and heard by the community. Heightening visibility on campus will be a priority for the volunteers.