Mount Wachusett Community College student Wren Stoddard will host a Community Health and Wellness Fair on June 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the South Café of the Gardner campus as part of their work as a 2025–2026 Newman Civic Fellow.
The event aims to connect community members with healthcare resources, wellness organizations, and nursing students in an interactive environment focused on improving community health and expanding access to care. “As a nursing student, health and wellness are always at the front of my mind,” said Stoddard. “I wanted my Newman Project to reflect my studies and future goals, so hosting a Health and Wellness Fair was the obvious choice.”
A key feature will be a student-led vitals screening station organized with the Student Nurses Association. Nursing student volunteers will create a mock clinical office where attendees can receive basic health screenings such as temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart and lung sound checks. The initiative is intended to help nursing students strengthen clinical skills while connecting with community members.
“By volunteering, community members will have the chance to meet their future healthcare workers as well as be a part of their educational journey,” Stoddard said.
The fair will also include a Walgreens Pharmacy vaccine clinic offering walk-in vaccinations for COVID-19, shingles, pneumonia, and other immunizations. Local organizations will provide educational resources about wellness services available in the area.
Stoddard was named the 2025–2026 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact for leadership in civic engagement. “I am passionate about helping underserved communities,” said Stoddard. “I always start by finding and reaching out to those who can assist me in making change.” As part of the fellowship program, fellows participate in leadership development opportunities throughout the year.
“Wren’s dedication to community advocacy and health equity reflects the mission of the Newman Civic Fellowship and the values of Mount Wachusett Community College,” said James Vander Hooven, President of MWCC. The event is open to all members of the public.
