Healthcare services are not only an individual but also a societal area of responsibility!

Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services (SHMYO) students from the Pharmacy Services Program and Home Patient Care Program implemented numerous qualified projects for the benefit of society within the scope of the Social Responsibility course conducted in the 2025-2026 Fall semester. Under the guidance of Instructor Berhan Özdemir Eroğlu, Head of the Pharmacy Services Program, students developed projects on themes such as health awareness, social solidarity, accessibility, environmental sensitivity, and social awareness, thereby applying their professional knowledge and skills in the field and gaining a sense of social responsibility.

In the projects carried out by students of the Pharmacy Services Program, community health and social support came to the fore.

Social responsibility awareness experienced in the field

Within the scope of the project “Aid and Solidarity for Families in Need,” students contributed to strengthening the culture of solidarity by providing food aid to families in need. The project allowed students to experience social responsibility awareness in the field. Nadire Nur Demir, Batuhan Yılmazer, and Samet Altındağ, students from the Pharmacy Services Program, took part in the project.

Aim to increase blood donation awareness in society

The project “Hope Through Blood,” aiming to increase blood donation awareness in society, and volunteer work at Kızılay emphasized the importance of regular blood donation. Students drew attention to the continuity of blood stocks through volunteer activities. Nisanur Demirbaş, Betül Aş, and Sılanur Koç, students from the Pharmacy Services Program, took part in the project.    

A common production environment beyond barriers was created with art

Within the scope of the project “Barrier-Free Colors,” a painting workshop activity organized with disabled individuals was implemented as an exemplary work promoting inclusive social interaction. Through the project, a common production environment beyond barriers was created through art. Azra Meryem Kılıç from the Pharmacy Services Program took part in the project.

Aimed to prevent unconscious drug use

Within the scope of the project “Not Many Drugs, But the Right Drug Heals,” aiming to draw attention to rational drug use, informative brochures were prepared by students and distributed in pharmacies. The project aimed to contribute to preventing unconscious drug use. Ravza Nur Tahmisoğlu from the Pharmacy Services Program took part in the project.

In the projects carried out by students of the Home Patient Care Program, studies that addressed individual and community health from multiple perspectives attracted attention.

Security issues identified by students

Within the scope of the project “Physical Accessibility and Security Analysis in and Around the Campus,” accessibility and security issues on routes within and around the university campus were identified by students. The obtained data was reported to contribute to creating a safer and more accessible environment. Ahmet Emin Aydınhan, Yunus Emre Erdal, and Serdar Yıldırım, students from the Home Patient Care Program, took part in the project.

Importance of early diagnosis and correct information emphasized

Within the framework of the “Reproductive Health Awareness Study,” informative boards were prepared within the university, and brochures were distributed, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and correct information. The study aimed to increase the health literacy of university students. İrem Aktaş, Aleyna Aktaş, and Meryem Su İlbars, students from the Home Patient Care Program, took part in the project.

Attention drawn to prejudices in society

Within the scope of the project “Awareness for Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders,” community mental health centers were visited, and interviews were conducted with patients, their relatives, and healthcare professionals. Attention was drawn to prejudices in society through boards and brochures. Ebrar Ar, Hale Kübra Toygar, and Busenur Canpolat, students from the Home Patient Care Program, took part in the project.

Contributed to environmental sustainability

With the “Recycling and Awareness” Project, recycling efforts were initiated at hospital, dormitory, school, and middle school levels. Students contributed to environmental sustainability with informative brochures, recycling bins, and creative applications. Fırat Akkaya, Nisa Koşar, Abdullah Öpengin, and İrem Nur Arslan, students from the Home Patient Care Program, took part in the project.

Awareness created about food waste

Finally, within the scope of the “Share the Leftovers” project, surplus food from businesses, suitable for hygienic conditions, was transformed into healthy food for stray animals. At the same time, businesses and individuals were informed, creating awareness about food waste. Mevlüt Cesur from the Home Patient Care Program took part in the project.

Education approach strengthened by social sensitivity…

The projects carried out within the scope of the Social Responsibility course allowed students to integrate their professional identities with social sensitivity.

Thanks to real-life applications, students also had the opportunity to experience that healthcare services are not only an individual but also a societal area of responsibility.