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Two Auburn University students have got their fall semester off to a good start volunteering their internship hours at the Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Center. Braeden Heath and Michael Giordano, both Biomedical Science majors, have been brainstorming public health projects for the center.

Recently, they stocked the new “Period Closet” with various tampons, pads and other sanitary products for the community. It also includes informational pamphlets to help young people who might not have been taught how to properly use the products. 

“We wanted to make sure that everyone who needs them can get to them,” Heath said of the products. 

There are 10 students in total who are spending their internship hours at the center this semester. Each one is focused on finding solutions to problems that impact rural communities with healthcare disparities. 

As the weather gets colder, Heath and Giordano also hope to offer cold-season kits. This way, when visitors come by to use the OnMed telehealth station, they can leave with things like cough drops, Gatorade, hand sanitizer and Kleenex. 

They are also planning to work on a “maternity closet,” which would provide things like baby blankets, diapers, prenatal pamphlets and pregnancy tests. 

The Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Center is a partnership between Auburn University Rural Health Project, the city of LaFayette and the Chambers County Commission. 

The center hosts health clinics every month offering primary care, women’s health and vaccination services and screenings. The next clinics will take place on Nov. 13 and Dec. 4.