A woman leans over a table, explaining information to a grandparent
Lynn Glenn, PhD, explains diabetes information to a member of the Healthy Grandparents Program. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]

In photos: Nursing hosts back-to-back community clinics

Headshot of Nina SisoNina Siso3 min readFebruary 2, 2026

Under the leadership the of Pam Cromer, DNP, director of Community Engagement for Augusta University’s College of Nursing, CON recently hosted back-to-back community health events at Julian Smith Casino. Those community engagement events provided health care to members of the community while also giving nursing students opportunities to engage with patients.

The fourth annual Health and Wellness Clinic for Employees of Horizon Motor Coach was held on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Cromer and esteemed alumna Debbie Layman worked closely with Al Harris, owner of Horizon Motor Coach, to provide his employees with mock Department of Transportation exams, community resources and health screenings. Many of the Horizon employees provide transportation services to students and employees at Augusta University.

“At the Horizon Truckers Clinic, I had the privilege of mentoring students in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program as they conducted DOT exams for local drivers,” said Gena Markwalter, DNP, assistant professor in the College of Nursing. “Seeing students interact with patients and put their skills into practice – while at the same time expanding access to essential health services in our community – is incredibly rewarding.”

Three women, two wearing health care professional scrubs, stand inside a banquet room at a community center.
Gena Markwalter, DNP with Nursing students at the Horizon Clinic. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]

The Healthy Grandparents Program‘s Grandparents Clinic took place the next day. Enrolled program members were provided with complimentary labs, health screenings, vitals and resources. Mike Patton, HGP program manager, worked closely with Cromer to provide this opportunity for the grandparents to put themselves and their health first.

“We want to make sure they are healthy enough so they can take care of their grandbabies,” said Luci Marchant, a fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. “We’ve done blood pressures, blood sugars, I gave some shots today, and we’re educating on how to give CPR. People are asking us really hard questions, which is really nice and challenges us as nursing students.”

A group of 10 women, all wearing health care professional scrubs, stand inside a community center waiting to serve during a health clinic.
Luci Marchant (2nd from left) poses with Carol Hunter, DNP (left), Diane Robillard, DNP (right), and fellow BSN students. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]

“I think this is amazing because it actually gives me the confidence to talk to people and see how it’ll be as a nurse practitioner in the future,” said Keshia Allen, a third-year student in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. “It’s important to get to know the people in your community that you’re going to work with, and it builds that trust before you become their health care provider.”

Both events were a success thanks to the many participating colleges, departments, volunteers and community organizations.

Two women pose together, smiling at the camera
Horizon Clinic: Debbie Layman and Ann Patterson. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]
Woman in scrubs and a stethoscope in front of a table
Keshia Allen speaks with a volunteer at the Healthy Grandparents Clinic. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]
A group of people in lab coats perform blood pressure screenings
Horizon Clinic: Volunteers from MCG perform blood pressure screenings. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]
A man takes a vision test, with the vision cards pinned to a poster board display
Horizon Clinic: A DNP student gives a vision test. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]
Two women sit behind a vendor table and smile at the camera
Horizon Clinic: Representatives from Augusta R.O.A.R.
Test tubes together on a table
Horizon Clinic: Nutrition display from the College of Allied Health Sciences. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]
A woman performs a blood pressure check on an older man, neither are facing the camera
Horizon Clinic: A DNP student performs a blood pressure check on a Horizon employee. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]
A large red and white truck with the words Mobile Health Clinic and DPH on the side
Horizon Clinic: Mobile Health Clinic from East Central Public Health District. [Nina Siso/ Augusta University]
Two women look at a sheet of paper together
Horizon Clinic: Lynn Allmond with DNP student, Roshny Roy. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]
A man and a woman speak to a man in a baseball cap in front of blue vendor tables
Horizon Clinic: Al Harris and Debbie Layman speak to a Horizon Motor Coach employee. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]
A woman demonstrates CPR on a CPR dummy
HGP Clinic: A representative from the American Heart Association demonstrates CPR. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]
Two women speak to each other across a vendor table
HGP Clinic: Community resource table of the CSRA Agency on Aging. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]
A young woman holds up a peace sign, posing beside a another smiling woman
HGP Clinic: BSN student Julianna Wilson poses with Diane Robillard, DNP. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]
A man speaks to a group of girls wearing scrubs
HGP Clinic: Mark Schreiber speaks to BSN students. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]
A man and a woman stand together, not facing the camera
HGP Clinic: Mike Patton speaks with a grandparent. [Nina Siso/Augusta University]
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