National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) was a partner in National Public Health Week (NPHW) for 2011 and spread the message that “Safety is No Accident.”

Faculty and students organized several activities on NUHS’ Florida campus at St. Petersburg College (SPC). They manned and exhibition booth in the main lobby of SPC’s Caruth Health Education building in Pinellas Park for five days during the lunch hour, with volunteers distributing safety information to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The information was well received, with one staff member announcing that she was putting the safety suggestions into action by now holding on to the handrail while using the lobby stairs.

The NUHS Florida clinic also participated in National Public Health Week by discussing safety information with patients. One of the patients remarked that he went home and reorganized the storage of the chemicals following the safety suggestions.

Overall, NUHS/SPC was able to distribute about 300 safety brochures through various venues.

To raise awareness of NPHW, several NUHS chiropractic students and faculty wore a badge with the “Safety is No Accident” logo for the duration of the week.

The St. Petersburg College (SPC) Library website hosted the NPHW banner for the duration of the week. The SPC library website is visited by members of the general public as well as students and faculty of all the campuses of SPC.

One faculty member posted daily safety messages on her Facebook page with friends across the world. One friend from Australia remarked that “safety is always in season” even though it is autumn in Australia and not spring like in the U.S.

“NUHS is proud to have been a partner in such a worthwhile venture and we look forward to participating next year as well,” said Jaya Prakash, MD, MPH, professor of microbiology at NUHS/SPC, organizer of the NPHW events.