On Saturday, July 23 from 9 a.m. to noon, the Pinellas Park Medical District (PPMD) sponsored its annual giveaway of backpacks and bicycles for local school children. National University of Health Sciences (NUHS)-Florida is a founding member of the PPMD, a special committee of the Pinellas Park Florida Chamber of Commerce. The much-anticipated event was held at the St. Petersburg College (SPC) Health Education Center (HEC) in Pinellas Park, Florida.

“Several NUHS faculty, staff and students volunteered to help by stuffing backpacks prior to the giveaway, and handing them out the day of the event,” said Dr. Daniel Strauss, Dean of the NUHS College of Professional Studies-Florida.

Approximately five years ago, Dr. Strauss helped develop the back-to-school backpack drive event and this year, more than 2,000 backpacks full of school supplies were given away. The event included a raffle for 12 bicycles (several donated by Dr. Strauss) and interactive activities such as a touch-a truck with the Police and Fire Departments, paint-a school bus, K-9 demonstrations, and more.

Currently, Dr. Strauss is serving his third term as President of the Pinellas Park Chamber of Commerce and has been Chairman of the PPMD for almost 10 years. The purpose of the PPMD is to promote the interests of local, medical-related businesses. Its activities include business development, a network referral system, actively promoting community health care and student enrollment in health professions, and fostering health care employment opportunities.