Student Stories
Neil Young and Laura Mazur
Doctoral students in pharmacy
“The Greensburg community has been through a lot. As Kansans and KU students, we need to step in and help them every way we can.” — Neil Young
In a typical year, KU pharmacy students help Student Health Services with campus influenza vaccination clinics. But in fall 2008, Neil Young, Erie, Kan., and Laura Mazur, Wichita, and fellow members of KU’s Academy of Student Pharmacists made a leap. They held a flu clinic of their own, traveling more than halfway across Kansas to do it.
The students settled on Greensburg for two reasons: the hardships it has endured since the 2007 tornado wiped out 95 percent of the town, and the fact that it’s in Kiowa County, one of six Kansas counties with no pharmacy. To raise money for the vaccines, students sold T-shirts and cleaned Memorial Stadium after football games for pay. Donors helped with about $1,500 in gifts.
The KU students learned how to plan and operate an immunization clinic and give the shots. They also connected with Greensburg-area residents.
Lifelong Greensburg resident J.D. Harrell, 86, was one of more than 200 Kiowa County residents who received free flu vaccines at the clinic. “A lot of us love this place and are determined to stay,” he said. “All the volunteer help is extremely important.”
It was fitting that the clinic was held in Greensburg’s 5.4.7 Arts Center, constructed by KU architecture students in spring 2008. “The architecture students used their specialties to benefit this community,” Young said. “The clinic is our way to help.”