Kathleen Matt, dean of the College of Health Sciences, meets with visitors.

The challenge drew more than 200 participants to the STAR Health Sciences Complex.

Sharon Collison of STAR Health created and presented her healthy holiday recipes.

Chef Robbie Jester of Stone Balloon Ale House gave a cooking demonstration.

Evening wellness activities included painting for stress relief.

Alyssa Benjamin stretches out during a yoga session.

Healthy Campus Challenge

Article by Dante LaPenta Photos courtesy of College of Health Sciences December 09, 2016

STAR Health welcomes community for White House Healthy Campus Challenge

The University of Delaware College of Health Sciences (CHS) hosted an all-day event on Thursday, Dec. 8, to help the greater Newark community get a little healthier.

The White House Healthy Campus Challenge drew more than 200 people to the STAR Health Sciences Complex.

Visitors took part in, among other activities, a healthy holiday eating workshop, yoga, stress relief painting, tours, a cooking demonstration with Chef Robbie Jester of Stone Balloon Ale House, and health insurance education and enrollment.

The White House has asked college campuses across America to assist individuals who do not have insurance to get enrolled in one of the insurance marketplace options. Newark was one of many locations across the country to participate in 2016.

“The challenge was a big success. We had nearly 100 people receive health screening, 80 receive insurance information and 30 get swabbed for bone marrow match, which is so important in saving lives,” said lead organizer Sarah LaFave, director of community health initiatives for CHS.

Westside Family Healthcare and STAR Health, the college’s public-facing health care entity, teamed up on the event.