Medical and dental students at Kansas City University (KCU) stepped out of the classroom and into hands-on learning, welcoming hundreds of elementary school students for free health screenings to officially launch program for the 2025–26 school year. Score 1 for Health, a program within the Center for Population Health and Equity, delivers preventive health screenings directly to children, offering vision, hearing, blood pressure, height and weight as well as oral health assessments.
For one student doctor at KCU-Joplin, the experience offered a first real look at the heart of medicine. “I got a glimpse into what being a doctor is all about — joking with kids, making them smile and laugh, and realizing how fun and full of energy they are. It takes a little bit for them to warm up, but once they do, it’s a great interaction,” Garret Rymer said. “The experience deepened my understanding that we’re here to take care of our community.”
On kickoff day in Kansas City, 270 second-year medical students screened about 300 children from Scuola Nuova Vita Charter School. In Joplin, about 150 fifth graders from Eastmorland, Soaring Heights and Stapleton Elementary Schools were screened by 80 dental students and nearly 150 medical students. The program maintains nearly a1:1 ratio of student doctors to children, ensuring personalized attention and a holistic approach to care.
“This is a win-win,” said Annette Campbell, MPA, RN, director of Score 1 for Health. “It benefits medical and dental students, but first and foremost, it benefits the kids. Students gain early clinical experience, learning holistic care that is critical for careers in family practice, pediatrics or primary care.”
Alongside health screenings, KCU-KC hosted a series of STEM-focused activities designed to inspire curiosity and connect learning to future careers. Kindergarteners practiced yoga and posed for “Future Doctor” photos, while upper-grade students engaged in more advanced sessions, including dermatology lessons, computer deconstruction and process improvement workshops.
For KCU-KC student doctor Ashleigh Adams, working with children is a dream come true. She chose KCU in part for opportunities like Score 1 for Health, which allow her to combine her passion for helping underserved kids with hands-on clinical experience. “I’ve always wanted to work with children and helping them access care has been a passion of mine since I was young,” Adams said. “We had a lot of fun, and I learned so much about making them feel comfortable in a clinical setting.”
Screenings are not a one-time event. Score 1 for Health provides follow-up assessments for children who were absent or had health concerns during the initial visit. Both Kansas City and Joplin campuses will conduct screenings across eight dates, extending through February 2026. This academic year, the program will reach 42 elementary schools — 32 in Kansas City and 10 in Joplin — serving more than 10,000 students.
Through hands-on experience, interprofessional collaboration and preventive care, Score 1 for Health gives KCU students an early clinical edge while improving the well-being of the communities they serve.
For Adams, it also brings her one step closer to her goal of becoming a pediatrician.
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