As an extension of the work of the CMHDRE in the community, the College of Pharmacy opened the Health and Wellness Center (HWC) in 2008, in partnership with Walmart stores, located at 5110 Jefferson Highway in Harahan, Louisiana. The Health and Wellness Center is staffed by clinical pharmacists to provide walk-in screenings, education, and nutritional counseling related to chronic diseases for community members.

The Health and Wellness Center partners with community-based organizations to provide disease prevention education and programming directly within communities like the Lower Ninth Ward, Broadmoor, etc. Center staff and pharmacy students often provide these services through local health fairs, including the annual Essence Festival and other community health fairs, and most recently at the Xavier-based COVID-19 testing sites.  Additionally, the Health and Wellness Center provides healthy cooking classes where students share best practices for purchasing and cooking affordable, healthy foods to reduce poor health outcomes associated with food quality and accessibility. Most services offered at the Center are free of charge. 

Community leaders attended the Takeda & Xavier University of Louisiana Partnership: Juneteenth Luncheon on Monday, June 20th. to discuss efforts to further health equity in New Orleans and to focus on the overall improvement of health outcomes for disadvantaged and marginalized populations.

 

College of Pharmacy (COP) ‘21-’22 Residents, COP student volunteers, alumni and Health and Wellness Center Director, and Dr. Bill Kirchain attend Gert Town Day, hosted by the Together Gert Town Neighborhood Association to provide education and access to vaccines, and to talk about healthy eating and nutrition. provide education and access to vaccines, and to talk about healthy eating and nutrition.

 

Dr. Jasmin Eugene talks with community members about breast cancer and breast screening at the ATMF Clinic Health Fair. This initiative is in partnership with LSUHSC, UMCNO and the TMIST (Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial) program.