Villanova Nursing student enhances health information for Arab immigrants

Christine Grywalski (center, standing) checks the blood pressure of an Arab immigrant woman.

Villanova, PA, August 28, 2009 — Christine Grywalski, BSN, a 2009 graduate of the Villanova University College of Nursing from Springfield, N.J. investigated the need for and created an information sheet about health insurance options and free care for new immigrants that can be now be accessed via the Philadelphia Arab American Community Development Corporation web site (www.arabamericancdc.org/accesstohealthcare.html). She also conducted a workshop for a group of Arab men following prayer at their Philadelphia mosque about the same topic. Her efforts were part of her senior health promotion clinical practicum under the guidance of Ruth McDermott-Levy, PhD, RN, assistant professor. Dr. McDermott-Levy described Grywalski as “a poised professional during some tense moments of people telling stories of discrimination and difficulty accessing health insurance for their families.”

Why choose a project like this? Grywalski explains, “The importance of this presentation was multifaceted. As nurses, we will come in contact with a variety of patients, many of whom are not insured. During our nursing education, we touch briefly on the cultural barriers but we do not get the opportunity to explore critical issues such as health insurance on an intimate level.” Her health care content will have an impact on this group. “With immigrants representing one of the largest uninsured populations, activities such as this presentation allow vulnerable populations access to the information they need to navigate the complicated health insurance systems of the United States,” she offers.

This clinical experience is one of many options open to students in Philadelphia and around the world to expand their global and multicultural perspectives in nursing and health care.