“Code Blue” is a phrase normally heard in hospitals to designate a life-threatening situation. The National Association of State Boards of Education and the American Medical Association used the term in its 1989 response to the adolescent health crisis in the United States. Assessing problems such as substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy, the association targeted two Michigan sites for improvement efforts. One of these sites was the city of Highland Park.

Unable to ignore the opportunity to improve community health conditions in their own backyard, WSU medical students joined forces with the Highland Park Public Schools in 1992 to form the Code Blue Mentoring Outreach Project. The goal of the program was the same then as it is today: to help Highland Park school children avoid risky behaviors and make informed, healthy decisions.

Georgia Wilder, the university counselor who helped establish Code Blue and continues to closely work with its members as the organization’s advisor, stresses the unique approach Code Blue takes in addressing community needs. “Unlike other outreach organizations at the School of Medicine that target specific issues, Code Blue attempts to provide a more comprehensive, holistic and ongoing service to elementary students with positive role models, discussion of important topics and greatly needed resources,” she said.

Code Blue hosted a year-end party for Cortland Elementary School, which included a storyteller and treats for the students.

According to a Code Blue co-coordinator and second-year medical student, Rob Sherman, the program features regular classroom visits by a group of two or three students. The relationship that forms between the each group of medical students and the kids in their class is unique. Groups may talk, play, read, color or engage in any number of activities. Whatever they do, Code Blue members try to get across the importance of healthy decision-making and to serve as positive role models at all times.

The educators who work with the children on a daily basis appreciate the contributions WSU students have made. Doris Proctor, who teaches children with learning disabilities at Highland Park’s Cortland Elementary School, says she can see a change in her students when a Code Blue visit is coming. “The kids are always so excited to see them,” she said.

More importantly in Proctor’s opinion, however, is the change she sees in her students’ attitudes towards issues such as diet. “Before, they didn’t seem to concerned with such issues. They are definitely more aware now.”

Cortland’s principal, Eulah Peterson, feels that the Code Blue program is important for reasons that go far beyond health concerns. “The mentoring piece is the most important part of it all; the regular contact the kids have with the students. They can ask them career questions, life questions, anything. I’ve enjoyed having them in the five years I’ve been here.”

Code Blue’s work has not gone unnoticed on the Wayne State campus either. In 1998, the organization swept WSU’s annual Student Leadership Awards program, winning both group honors: Outstanding Student Organization of the Year and the Outstanding Community Service Award.