Prior to departing for summer break, Atlanta Public Schools’ Office of Career, Technical and Agricultural Education hosted its annual Health and Wellness Symposium for students enrolled in healthcare science pathways. Over 150 students from five high schools attended the event: Carver School of Health Science & Research, Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy, Mays High School, South Atlanta School of Health & Medical Science, and Therrell School of Health Science & Research. The purpose of the event was to inform attendees of health issues that are crippling the community, encourage healthier lifestyles and expose students to careers related to healthcare. This was the fifth year of the event.
The symposium provided six breakout sessions facilitated by representatives from local health organizations. Topics included: prevention of drug and alcohol use, teen pregnancy, diabetes, and suicide prevention. The symposium concluded with a panel discussion entitled, “The Effects of Violence on the Health of the Community.”
Dr. Omar Danner, Associate Professor of Surgery at Morehouse School of Medicine; Chief Marquenta Sands of Atlanta Public Schools, and Officer Dwayne Hilton of the Atlanta Police Department served as panelists and as a result of the panel discussion and the input from students, Chief Sands and Dr. Danner are planning to host other events to address violence in the community.
