In Southeast Nashville, Belmont University and The Branch recently came together in a powerful display of collaboration and compassion, dedicated to improving the well-being of their neighbors.
Through an interprofessional health clinic, a group of faculty, staff and students from eight of Belmont's health sciences programs joined forces to provide essential screenings, assessments and referrals to those in need — a perfect representation of the Belmont Accelerator for Social Innovation Collaboration (BASIC) initiative.
BASIC promises to encourage and empower individuals across Belmont’s campus to use their intellectual capital and faithful commitment for the betterment of its students, the local community and the region at large.
“The clinic is exactly what the BASIC program was meant for — bringing together University resources to impact local communities," said Jenny Crowell Thompson, chair of the School of Social Work.
The collaboration included participants representing a range of diverse programs such as graduate nursing, undergraduate nursing, social work, public health, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy and medicine. Together, they offered blood pressure and blood sugar screenings, pediatric developmental assessments, emotional well-being evaluations, fall-risk assessments, scoliosis screenings, medication counseling and crucial community referrals.
"Being surrounded by so many specialists made it possible to assist with the complex problems that patients were experiencing,” occupational therapy doctorate student Rebecca Webb shared. “Quality health truly takes an interprofessional team, and the team was all there with the time and ability to help."
This experience not only benefited the community, but also provided invaluable learning opportunities for Belmont's students, preparing them to become compassionate and well-rounded healthcare professionals.
“I had never considered the intricacies of medication management across different languages and availability in the U.S.,” Webb said. "This whole experience really underscored the importance of culturally competent care.”
By bringing together diverse expertise and resources, Belmont and The Branch have taken a significant step towards fostering community wellness and addressing the multifaceted needs of those they serve.
"At The Branch, we are committed to opening up pathways of thriving for people in poverty. While food insecurity is one social determinant of health, we also know that our neighbors have difficulty accessing affordable healthcare, insurance, and medications,” said Ashley Smith, Director of Comprehensive Care at The Branch. “This health clinic was a beautiful picture of how the community could come together to provide much needed screenings, vaccines and referrals to community resources. We are so thankful for our partnership with Belmont."
With plans already in motion for a second clinic in the Fall and hopes to expand the services offered, the partnership between Belmont University and The Branch continues to grow, serving as a model for community-driven wellness initiatives. Together, they are paving the way for a healthier, more equitable and more vibrant Nashville community.
