Betcha didn’t know April is National Diversity Month! I’m blessed to have been born and raised in such a culturally and ethnically diverse area of the country. As a matter of fact, my city, Silver Spring, Maryland, is the fourth most culturally diverse city in the United States according to WalletHub (with the number two spot going to Gaithersburg, Maryland).

Being surrounded by people of different backgrounds from mine means that I’m constantly learning something new. I get introduced to new cuisines, music, languages, and traditions all the time. And I also find myself proudly sharing tidbits of my own Vietnamese heritage with old and new friends. There’s beauty in diversity for sure, and I’m excited to share with you an upcoming event this month that really serves to celebrate this diversity.

My pharmacy colleagues at the Baltimore campus have worked hard for months to plan the first ever Multicultural Festival and Health Fair at the Howard County Fairgrounds. Hosted by the University of Maryland’s chapter of the American Pharmacist Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) and the Student Government Association (SGA), the event promises live performances, multicultural cuisine from local food trucks, and prizes.

What’s innovative about this event is that it’s also a health fair. There will be blood pressure screenings, diabetes risk assessments, and even dental screenings provided by a Colgate RV. Five APhA-ASP “operations” (including mine, OTC Medicine Safety) will be providing education on travel vaccines, safe prescription drug storage and disposal, poison control and prevention, and much more.

This event is open to anyone and everyone! If you haven’t yet made plans for next Saturday, April 14^th, stop by for this exciting multicultural experience and get your wellness on while you’re at it. It’s a twofer that you just can’t miss.