Student Nurses Make a Difference in our Community

When Megan Klyczek, BS ’14 signed on as a rower for UB Women’s Division 1 rowing team in 2009, she became a part of more than just a team, she was introduced to a volunteer opportunity that has continued past graduation. She became the assistant coach for the WeCanRow Buffalo team to teach rowing to female cancer survivors allowing them to re-build strength and mental focus, as well as connect with other survivors. This past year, Megan became the head coach of the team working alongside Maggie Lawn, a UB senior studying aerospace and mechanical engineering, and Liz Murphy, a 2nd year UB law student. Together they coach the group promoting healthy lifestyles and striving to develop camaraderie among members of the team. Megan states, “This experience has been rewarding in countless ways, teaching me about the life of a survivor and about supporting those around you.”

Megan, along with classmates Jannet Kim, BS ’14 and Brandi Conway, BS ’14, took part in another health related volunteer opportunity, the Tar Wars Program. This program teaches 4th and 5th grade students about the harmful effects of tobacco use by utilizing newer technologies like smart boards, creating a fun, interactive learning experience. Students focus on concepts of cost, health consequences and advertising techniques used by the tobacco industry to market products to youth. Children from area schools participated in a variety of activities such as running in place while breathing through a straw to experience the harmful effects of tobacco on your lungs and were asked what they would do with $100,000 as a way to illustrate the high cost of smoking. Smoking ads in magazines were used to illustrate marketing strategies that encourage smoking in youth. Megan observed, “This experience helped me further develop my nursing skills as an educator and create connections with those in my community.” Denise McGuigan, Associate Director of the Office of UG Medical Education at UB coordinates the presentations. This
year, 45 students from the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Social Work and pre-medical studies participated. This
interprofessional cadre presented Tar Wars to over 1000 Buffalo area students in 17 different schools. Tar Wars is sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians.