Score 1 for Health
Health screening performed on Score for 1 Health clinical attendee, Oct. 24 | Photo by Emily Wheeler

Emily Wheeler

Editorial Assistant

In a week-long initiative, medical students and clinic staff from Kansas City University (KCU) provided essential visitation care to over 700 elementary and secondary students within the Kansas City metro, Oct. 24 at its campus 1750 Independence Ave. These clinics were a part of Score 1 for Health — a department of KCU and the University’s flagship outreach project. 

  Score 1 for Health was founded by former Kansas City Chiefs Safety, Deron Cherry over 30 years ago to raise awareness and stress the importance of pediatric health. 

  This week-long annual event delivered essential vision care to over 700 elementary and secondary students, many leaving the clinic with glasses. More than 50 KCU medical students and clinic staff volunteers utilized their time and expertise — ensuring most participants received high-quality eyewear on-site. 

Eyewear, which was available during Kansas City University’s annual Score for 1 Health vision clinic, Oct. 24 | Photo by Emily Wheeler

  Students were on KCU’s campus for about 4 hours. After a student’s eye prescription was determined, they got to choose their new frames. The glasses were made on-site and many students left with new eyewear. 

  This event follows pre-screening, which was done to identify students in need. For some students, this was their first pair of glasses, others were able to receive updated prescriptions.

Kansas City University student assists with prescription and glasses adjustment Oct. 24 at Score for 1 Health Vision Clinic | Photo by Emily Wheeler

 “About 90 percent of students that come through the clinic will leave with glasses,” said Jennifer Lindholm, Digital and Media Relations Strategist for KCU. Students with less common lens prescriptions were still fitted for frames but will get their glasses in the upcoming weeks. 

  This initiative highlights KCU’s commitment to community service and improving access to health care — ensuring every child can thrive. 

“Whether it be a lack of healthcare, time or money, we are removing barriers for students and their families,” said Lindholm. 

  Score 1 for Health gives early clinical experience to medical students, who under the supervision of faculty, perform health screenings for more than 13,000 children each year. It was through these pre-screenings that students with a need for glasses were identified.

An attendee who received eyewear Oct. 24 at Kansas City University’s Score for 1 Health Vision Clinic | Photo by Emily Wheeler

  “It gives KCU students an opportunity to apply what they are learning in real-time. They get the chance to get into the community and meet Kansas City,” said Annette Campbell, director of Score 1 for Health — a department of KCU. The event is one, which KCU students said they look forward to every year, “The sign-up sheet was filled within an hour,” said Campbell. 

  Becoming a successful physician is more than being able to diagnose, said Campbell, “It’s important for them to build sensitivity and cultural humility and awareness. They are seeing the impact directly, many of these kids we screen are in the Northeast.”