Omani nursing students volunteer at local church

The members of St. Matthew's United Methodist church of Valley Forge, Pa. are more knowledgeable about their health thanks to four Villanova University College of Nursing students. The four women, who are nurses from the Sultanate of Oman and are completing their bachelor of science in nursing degree at Villanova, volunteered to assist with the congregation’s health fair on March 21st. “We learned more about volunteering and community service,” explains Wadha Al Mamari.

The students checked blood pressures, shared general cardiac health tips and follow up advice on any abnormal results. Their faculty, Joyce Willens, PhD, RN, assistant professor and a member of the church, taught CPR to the lay public gathered at the church, while the students offered the blood pressure screening. “They were very excited about the opportunity to serve the community and with the notion of seeing a different worship place,” says Dr. Willens. Villanova enjoys a 16-year relationship with Oman, providing BSN-completion, MSN, PhD and continuing education to its nurses and is enriched by having Omani students on its campus.

In these photos, Samiha Al Habsi checks the blood pressure of Pastor Dawn Taylor of St. Matthew’s Church. The health fair volunteers included (l to r) Raiya Al Hajri, Samiha Al Habsi, Dr. Joyce Willens, assistant professor, Mirfat Al Barwani and Wadha Al Mamari.