Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo and Congressman Mike McIntyre commemorated the opening of the Bolton Health and Wellness Center on Feb. 7, according to a press release. Located in Southeastern North Carolina, Bolton holds the highest number of prostate cancer patients in the nation and the highest rate of high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease in the state among African-Americans. UNCW’s Nursing Department organized the health project, providing an alternative to the population’s minimal access to health care. “Under the leadership of the UNC-Wilmington School of Nursing and with the help of Congressman Mike McIntyre, a wonderful health partnership has been formed to bring access to primary health care to a previously underserved community,” DePaolo said in the press release. The center began accepting patients in January. Existing services include primary care, depression screening, blood pressure and glucose screening, counseling, health and empowerment education and community problem solving. The center is managed by nurses and is a “service-learning site” for students in multiple disciplines that also serves as a site of scholarship for UNCW faculty and students. “This is a perfect outreach project for UNCW in an area that is in need. The facilities that the Bolton Health and Wellness Center will provide will go a long way in an impoverished region of the state,” said Chairman of the UNCW Board of Trustees, Jeff Etheridge Jr., according to the press release. UNCW received federal funding for the health center from the U.S. Office of Rural Health Policy and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and was supported by McIntyre. “I think it’s a very good thing. Health is an issue that needs to beaddressed, and it’s a step in the right direction,” junior Matt Cox said. Monetary and other donations to equip the center are being accepted by the School of Nursing. Contact Stephanie David at extension 2659 or e-mail her at [email protected]. For more information, contact the Bolton Health and Wellness Center at 655-8300 and Perri Bomar at 962-3200 or e-mail at [email protected].