Provo, Utah (ABC4) — Michelle KaufusiProvo's mayor announced a new initiative called . Kaufushi's Keikis Help provide free optional health screenings to elementary school students in Provo.
“Keikis at Kaufusi is a free, optional health support program that provides potentially life-saving annual screening tests for all elementary school children,” one person said. Program webpage Said.
This initiative Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine — or Noorda-COM — and Provo City School Districtand to “develop preventive health support programs with the long-term goal of changing the health trajectory of Provo’s next generation.”
So, what's the origin of the name?
Keiki (pronounced “key-key”) Hawaiian It can mean children or descendants. The name “Keikis of Kaufusi” essentially means “Children of Kaufusi”.
The program announced it will officially launch on April 9 after receiving a $25,000 donation from . provo open. The program aims to provide free opt-in health screenings to Provo students, which it says is “particularly beneficial” to low-income neighborhoods.
Under the supervision of faculty, medical examinations are performed by student doctors from Noorda-COM and ultimately by other medical students from the region. One student called the initiative a “invaluable opportunity” to engage with the community.
Noorda-COM President and CEO Dr. Norman Wright said Kaufusi's connection to growing up in the Provo community made it clear that launching Kaufusi's Keikis “was the right choice.”
Kaufusi said the assistance program is personal to her because she grew up receiving free and reduced lunch at school as one of seven children from a single mother.
“As a family, we were always in survival mode, so my success would not have been possible without a caring community stepping in to make a difference,” Kaufusi said. “Keikis at Kaufusi is another example of our caring community coming together for the health of children.”
Caleb Price, Provo City School District, expressed his appreciation for the partnership between Provo Open and Noorda-COM in the outreach program.
The first health screening fair of Kaufusi's Keikis Health Assistance Program will be held on May 1 at Timpanogos Elementary School, according to a press release. Screening stations include vital signs, neurology, basic vision, and more.
Other optional medical examinations will be conducted at three locations: Title I schools Within the Provo School District.
“I am thrilled to announce the launch of our hometown Provo Health Initiative and dedicate it to Mayor Michelle Kaufuge,” said Wright.
