FAU to Host Free Back-to-School Community Health and Resource Fair
The U.B. Kinsey Educational and Community Center in West Palm Beach. (Photo by Alex Dolce)
Event Snapshot: The Florida Atlantic University/Northwest Community Health Alliance Community Health Center (FAU/NCHA) will host its inaugural Back-to-School Community Health and Resource Fair on Aug. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the U.B. Kinsey Educational and Community Center in West Palm Beach. The free event will help families prepare for the new school year by offering school physicals, immunizations (by appointment), health screenings, educational resources, food distribution and family-friendly activities, while connecting residents with local healthcare providers and community organizations.
Operated by FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, FAU/NCHA offers nurse-led clinics at the U.B. Kinsey Educational and Community Center and the Westgate Community Health Center, providing comprehensive primary care for children, adults and older adults, including pediatric care, mental health services, immunizations, chronic disease management, physicals and on-site laboratory testing.
As families prepare for the new school year, the Florida Atlantic University/Northwest Community Health Alliance Community Health Center (FAU/NCHA), operated by FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, will host its inaugural Back-to-School Community Health and Resource Fair on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the U.B. Kinsey Educational and Community Center, 720 Eighth St., West Palm Beach.
The free community event is designed to help families prepare for a healthy and successful school year by bringing together healthcare providers, educators, nonprofit organizations and community partners in one convenient location. Attendees will have access to school physicals, blood pressure screenings, school immunizations (by appointment), dental and mental health screenings, food distribution, educational resources and family-friendly activities.
Families who need school immunizations are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance by calling the FAU/NCHA at 561-844-9640.
“This event is about making it easier for families to prepare for the school year by bringing healthcare, education and essential community resources together in one place,” said Cameron G. Duncan, Ph.D., DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CNE, FAANP, Holli Rockwell Trubinsky Eminent Dean of FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, and CEO of the FAU/NCHA. “When children are healthy, they are better prepared to learn and thrive in the classroom. We want every family to know that quality, compassionate healthcare is available close to home – not just during this event, but throughout the entire year.”
Duncan said the Back-to-School Community Health and Resource Fair also serves as an introduction to the comprehensive services available through the FAU/NCHA.
The event’s theme, “Prepare – Connect – Thrive: A Healthy Start for a Successful School Year,” reflects the collaborative effort among local organizations to promote health, wellness and educational success.
Featured activities and services include:
- School physicals and blood pressure screenings provided by the FAU/NCHA
- School immunizations by appointment (call 561-844-9640 to schedule)
- The Promise Fund MammoVan offering free mammograms for individuals age 40 and older, with complimentary transportation through Uber Health (call 561-729-4870 to schedule)
- “Touch a Truck” with West Palm Beach Fire Rescue
- Food distribution provided by St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church
- A rock-climbing wall hosted by Sole Survivors
- Fluoride dental screenings and rapid HIV testing provided by Genesis Community Health
- Adolescent mental health screenings and children’s activities offered by the Center for Child Counseling Mobile Unit
- Free haircuts on a limited basis from Shears and Grace
- Educational resources from FAU’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, Bridges of West Palm Beach and numerous community organizations
The Back-to-School Community Health and Resource Fair builds on the year-round work of the FAU/NCHA, which operates nurse-led clinics at the U.B. Kinsey Educational and Community Center and the Westgate Community Health Center. Together, the clinics provide comprehensive primary care for children, adults and older adults, including pediatric and adult primary care, mental health services, immunizations, chronic disease management, school and sports physicals, preventive care and on-site laboratory testing.
Beyond its clinic walls, the FAU/NCHA actively engages with residents throughout the community. Health care teams conduct regular outreach and health education programs, including weekly blood pressure screenings, mental health screenings and wellness education at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church. Staff also participate in community events across Palm Beach County, providing immunizations, mental health screenings and blood pressure checks to increase access to preventive care.
In 2025, the FAU/NCHA recorded 5,459 patient visits, reflecting continued growth in demand for accessible, community-based healthcare. The center also achieved a record 542 patient visits last October alone, while extending services through outreach initiatives at Harmony House, Vita Nova and community events throughout the region.
The FAU/NCHA is a partnership between FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and the Northwest Community Health Alliance that combines education, research and clinical practice to improve health outcomes for underserved communities while providing future nurses with valuable hands-on clinical experience.
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Tags: nursing | community | faculty and staff