News & Events

Wayne Pediatrics attended the Detroit Health Department’s second annual block party this September 9th to share health and wellness information with the citizens of Metro Detroit. 

The event, which took place on John R. Street adjacent to the Wayne Pediatrics 400 Mack clinic from 12 to 4 p.m., aimed to promote healthy living among Detroit citizens. At the block party, Wayne Pediatrics had several tables including literacy, nutrition, exercise, HIV prevention and free clothing.   

Wayne Pediatrics served the 965 citizens of Detroit in attendance by giving away 100 jump ropes and soccer balls, nearly 200 Frisbees, 600 bags of fresh produce, 350 children’s books and 863 articles of clothing. The tables were set up as a treasure hunt, with the phrase “treasure your health!” encouraging children to visit each station to earn a prize. 

In attendance were Wayne Pediatrics physicians Drs. McGrath, Secord, Smitherman, Adams, Benjamins, Buggs-Saxton, and Dwaihy, along with Clinic Director Melissa Thompson. Furthermore, the Horizons Project, a clinic providing HIV care and prevention, had Kate Aquilina, Daniell Shields, India Shields, Keshaum Houston, Kenyetta Torbert, Nikki Cockern and more team members present. Medical student volunteers also assisted at the event. 

“It was a pleasure to work with the Detroit Health Department on their Block Party event,” Dr. Eric McGrath, infectious disease specialist at Wayne Pediatrics, said. “We were able to involve our clinical teams from Wayne Pediatrics and Horizons Project along with students from the Wayne State University School of Medicine with the support from our MSMS Foundation grant.” 

Wayne Pediatrics looks forward to attending the next Detroit Health Department Block Party to continue serving the Detroit population. “We feel proud of and hope that our Treasure Hunt activity helped to address Pediatric Social Determinants of Health in our local community," McGrath said.