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Provo mayor Kaufusi creates program offering free health assessments for children

By Genelle Pugmire - | Apr 19, 2023

Courtesy Schyler M. Richards

Courtesy Provo City

Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi and Dr. John Dougherty, founding dean of Noorda-COM.

Noorda-COM student practices giving health exam to patient actor at Provo’s medical school.

Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi is giving back to Provo, the hometown and wider community that cared for her as a child. In that spirit, Kaufusi has started a free health outreach program to say thank-you.

“Kaufusi’s Keikis” is a free health outreach program ensuring all elementary-aged children within the Provo School District will receive an annual, thorough health screening. While available to all Provo children, it will be especially beneficial to those who are underrepresented, low-income or under resourced, according to Kaufusi.

Provo’s underprivileged elementary children will receive free health assessments through a partnership between Kaufusi, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine (Noorda-COM) and the Provo City School District.

Families of these elementary-aged children will be given resources to address any health-related issues identified through the screenings.

Courtesy Schyler M. Richards

Noorda-COM student practices giving health exam to patient actor at Provo's medical school.

“This is personal to me because I was that ‘free/reduced lunch kid’ being raised by a single mom with seven kids,” Kaufusi said. “We were always in survival mode, so my success would not have been possible without a caring community.”

Kaufusi believes the program exemplifies the city’s mission statement, “Exceptional Care for an Exceptional Community,” as community partners work together for children in the city.

Medical students from Noorda-COM will begin a pilot version of the program this fall at four Title 1 schools. Students will gain valuable clinical experience in pediatric health assessment while also providing an important service to the community.

Students from other institutions will eventually participate in this inter-professional effort, Kaufusi said. Dr. John Dougherty, founding dean of Noorda-COM, created similar programs and saw great success.

“These screenings will change the trajectory of children’s lives,” Dougherty said. “Health screenings detect a wide range of diseases and conditions, with early detection being key to effective treatment.”

Free health assessments beginning this fall include blood pressure, dental, hearing, height/weight, vision and physical assessment.

“Kaufusi’s Keikis” will be funded through private donations, sponsorship gifts and donated time and service. Sponsorship funds from the annual Provo Advantage Pro-Am golf tournament will be used to help launch the health outreach program.

“Provo’s children are our number one priority,” Kaufusi said. “Through this program, our goal is to serve every single one of them — regardless of background or situation.”

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