CARIBOU, Maine — When their plan to do mission work in foreign countries was halted due to the pandemic and travel restrictions, the Connell School of Nursing at Boston College shifted gears north.
A total of 25 student nurses will conduct free wellness clinics in Madawaska, Caribou and Houlton in mid-April. Cary Medical Center will host the clinics.
“The school will be sending 25 Boston College nurses to Aroostook County from April 19-23. The group will be based out of Holy Rosary Parish Center in Caribou,” said Susan McGaulley, the program manager for parish social ministry at Catholic Charities Maine.
“We are blessed that they have chosen to do their mission work here in Aroostook County,” McGaulley said.
The student nurses will conduct wellness fairs for children, adults and seniors at Holy Rosary Church in Caribou, St. David Church in Madawaska, and St. Mary of the Visitation Church in Houlton, with home visits available for those who can’t travel to the sites.
Available services at the fairs will include blood pressure checks, glucose checks, eye evaluations for reading glasses, fall and safety screenings, assistive device placement and educational opportunities like nutrition and healthy living, mental and spiritual health support, chronic disease management, pain management, dental hygiene for children and adults, vaccines and career development counseling.
Education and support for new parents will be offered, and free diapers, formula, and baby wipes will also be available for those in need. In addition, daily raffles will be held at each site for thermometers, diabetes glucometers to check sugars, blood pressure machines, grocery gift cards, and more.
The clinic schedule is as follows.
Caribou
Clinics will be at Holy Rosary Parish Center, 40 Vaughn St. To schedule an in-person or home appointment, call 207-498-8844.
Monday, April 19, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (adults and seniors).
Tuesday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (adults and seniors).
Thursday, April 22, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (adults and seniors).
Thursday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (parents and children).
Madawaska
Clinics will be held at the St. David Parish Center, 774 Main St. To schedule an in-person or home appointment, call 207-728-7531.
Friday, April 23, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (adults and seniors).
Friday, April 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (parents and children).
Houlton
St. Mary Parish Center, 112 Military St. To schedule an in-person or home appointment for adults/seniors, call 207-532-2871. For parents/children, call 207-523-1161.
Wednesday, April 21, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (adults and seniors).
Wednesday, April 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (parents and children).
Health fair co-sponsors are the Connell School of Nursing at Boston College, Catholic Charities Maine, Maine Public Health Nursing and the Parish of the Precious Blood, which serves the Caribou and Presque Isle areas and surrounding towns. For general information about the fairs, call 207-768-3671.
