SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences welcomed over 200 community members to its Draper campus on Saturday, August 22, for its first Summer Community Health Fair, bringing together local families, healthcare organizations and wellness partners for a morning focused on health education and family-friendly fun.
One of the day’s highlights was Joyce’s Teddy Bear Clinic, where 120 children learned that “Brave Starts Small,” by receiving complimentary teddy bears to take through their very first checkups alongside Joyce University nursing students. Kids used stethoscopes, learned about different parts of a routine checkup and helped give their bears some extra TLC, making it a fun and easy way for young children to become more comfortable with healthcare experiences.
"The health fair was an opportunity to bring our students and community together around something that matters deeply to us at Joyce, helping people feel informed, supported and comfortable when it comes to their health,” said Brittany Cooper, Director of Communications at Joyce University. “Seeing our nursing students connect with children through the Teddy Bear Clinic was particularly special. Those small interactions can help make healthcare feel a little less intimidating while giving our students another opportunity to practice the communication and compassion that are so important in nursing.”
The event also connected families with local health and wellness organizations, including VASA Fitness, Golden Healers, the Utah Nurses Association, the Boob Bus, Orangetheory Fitness, Wasatch Pediatrics, Utah Decompression, Tru Fru, and the Draper Fire Department. Local radio station X96 kept the energy up throughout the morning with music and giveaways.
Families also enjoyed a bubble station, a raffle and food and treats available from Costa Vida and Shumway Ice Cream.
For Joyce University, the health fair provided an opportunity to extend health education beyond the classroom while giving nursing students hands-on experience engaging with members of the community. Joyce prepares future nurses through classroom instruction, clinical experiences and simulation while emphasizing patient education, communication and community-focused care.
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Brittany Cooper Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences 5016286737 brittany.cooper@joyce.edu
