Being at the frontline of community health, education, and advocacy, nurses are often the first to recognize health risks, provide essential guidance, and bridge the gap between medical knowledge and everyday life. This principle came to life on October 4, 2025, in Roumieh, where nursing students from LAU’s Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing (ARCSON) led a multidisciplinary community health initiative.

Under faculty guidance and in collaboration with Roumieh Health Committee and the LAU Mobile Clinic, third-year nursing students took the lead in organizing and managing health education stations, developing educational materials, designing interactive activities, and ensuring that the information provided was both accurate and accessible, all of which exemplified how nurses serve as catalysts for community wellbeing, prevention and lasting impact.

Supporting this effort, second-year nursing students played a crucial supporting role, managing registration, collecting data, taking vital signs, and guiding participants through the various health stations before referring them to the Mobile Clinic for medical consultation. This hands-on experience allowed them to engage directly with the community, observe the delivery of healthcare in real-world settings, and develop leadership skills essential to their professional growth.

More than 60 LAU students from different disciplines participated, embodying an interprofessional model of care. Master’s students from nutrition and pharmacy joined senior psychology students to provide a holistic experience that addressed physical, nutritional, and emotional wellbeing. Together with the nursing team, they served more than 300 residents throughout the day.

While the initiative was a collective university effort, it was conceived and driven by ARCSON—an extension of its mission to serve the community. “The project translated the school’s philosophy of community engagement into a multidisciplinary campaign that exemplified the core values of nursing: Service, leadership, and education,” said Dr. Bahia Abdallah, nursing program director at the school.

The collaboration extended beyond the university and its medical centers—the LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital and LAU Medical Center–Saint John’s—to include the Red Cross, SAID NGO, DiaLeb, and the Barbara Nassar Association. These partners provided essential support, from free or discounted laboratory and radiology tests to mammography vouchers and colon cancer screening kits.

The LAU Mobile Clinic, staffed by physicians and residents from the LAU school of medicine, formed the final stop in the care flow, ensuring that anyone flagged during screenings received proper medical attention.

The campaign focused on chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer—conditions that often go undiagnosed. Participants first met with nursing students, who assessed their medical history and risk factors before sending them for blood sugar and lipid tests. Those identified as high-risk were referred to the mobile clinic for follow-up.

“We identified several cases of undiagnosed hypertension and elevated blood glucose,” said Dr. Abdallah. “Two high-risk cases were immediately transferred to the hospital through the Mobile Clinic. This showed how impactful early screening can be when coupled with education and referral.”

Each booth was designed to educate as much as it screened. Nutrition students used body composition analyzers to assess BMI and discuss healthy eating, while pharmacy students counseled participants on medication use and adherence. Psychology students offered mindfulness exercises and stress management tips. A nursing-led station tackled screen and phone addiction—an often-overlooked health issue that proved to be among the most popular.

Beyond its medical objectives, the event carried a deeply human touch. In partnership with a local hairdresser, women were invited to donate their hair for cancer patients through the Barbara Nassar Association. “Two of our nursing students donated their hair during the event,” recalled Dr. Abdallah. “It was a moment that captured what nursing is truly about—compassion and service.”

“I not only had the chance to educate and raise awareness, but I also learned how meaningful it is to truly listen, connect, and adapt nursing care to each person’s unique story,” shared Leen Ghannam, a senior nursing student. “The experience reminded me that compassion and understanding are just as essential as clinical knowledge in making a real difference in people’s lives.”

Echoing that sentiment, senior nursing student Nicole Gebran reflected on the spirit of teamwork and fulfillment that defined the day: “Being part of the health day was a truly heartwarming experience. I was at the dental care and child immunization booth, and everything—from the warm atmosphere to the teamwork and the smiles of visitors—made the day incredibly fulfilling and memorable.”

By the end of the day, the feedback was overwhelming. The municipality commended the professionalism and organization of the students, while participants expressed gratitude for the accessible care. “Our students’ self-esteem was so high,” said Dr. Abdallah. “They saw the direct effect of their work on real people, not just simulations in class.”