Baker College SNA Students Win Population and Global Health Award

Photo Caption: BC Muskegon SNA students working on the Period of Purple Crying Initiative.

Baker College National Student Nurses' Association (SNA) members from the Muskegon campus recently won the Population and Global Health Award, granted by the National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA).

The purpose of the Population and Global Health Award program is to foster development and implementation of community service at the local, state, and national levels and to educate health care consumers about illness prevention, early detection of disease and treatment options, and community awareness about changes in community health.

The award was granted based on the work the SNA does with the Period of Purple Crying, an initiative supported by the CDC in hopes of reducing incidences of Shaken Baby Syndrome.

BC Muskegon campus SNA students work closely with BC Muskegon SNA Faculty Advisor, Kelly Martin, and Injury Prevention Coordinator at Mercy Health, Holly Alway, in supporting Period of Purple Crying.

SNA seniors are represented by:

• Gabrielle Dobos, Period of Purple Crying Student Liaison within the SNA board
• Jadyn Midkiff, President of the SNA Board at BC Muskegon 
• Amanda Moran, Co-Vice President of the SNA Board at BC Muskegon 

Senior Muskegon Campus nursing students have worked most closely with the Period of Purple Crying Initiative to date, and are currently supporting underclassmen to step into their roles upon graduation.

“I am very proud of the Baker Muskegon SNA students for this accomplishment. In supporting initiatives like Period of Purple Crying, these students are supporting population health and improving health outcomes for infants,” said advisor Kelly Martin. “This recognition sheds light on their hard work and the impact they are having on those in our community. I commend our Senior Board Members for their dedication to this initiative. Not only are they diligently working to support the initiative currently, but they are actively planning to support the sustainability of the project once they graduate come May. Thanks to them and their dedication, student engagement in the Period of Purple Crying will continue to impact community health far into the future.”

Judging criteria for the award were based on the relevance of the project to the theme, community impact, media coverage, clarity of message, originality/creativity, attainment of goals, and positive results attained.

“I am beyond proud of how much time and dedication my fellow colleagues and I have put into implementing this initiative,” said Jadyn Midkiff, BC Muskegon SNA President. “We are doing extensive work to provide education and support to families in our community to improve health outcomes for infants. Furthermore, we have constructed a plan for future students to work on to sustain our efforts in the reduction of abusive head trauma to infants. I am thrilled that my colleagues are receiving recognition for something they did with a philanthropic heart.” 

The SNA chapter will receive a certificate and $100 from the NSNA.