Oct. 22, 2021 -- When we think of blood pressure and burgers together, it’s usually not for a good reason. But two Heights High graduates put a positive spin on the combo at a Monticello Middle School event this October.

Twin sisters Doctors Jen and Jessica Macklin, who graduated from Heights High in 2003 after participating in the CTE pharmacology program and went on to earn their Doctorate of Pharmacy and launch Hands-On-Health, partnered with the district to provide information and health screenings to families enrolled in the 21st Century grant-funded after-school programs.

At the Wealthy Heart mobile event on Saturday, October 9, several dozen families from Boulevard Blast, Noble STREAM, and Oxford HUB drove through stations where they had blood pressure and glucose checks, received information and resources about hypertension and diabetes, enjoyed a healthy lunch of either a chicken, turkey or veggie burger, fruit and baked chips, and were gifted bags of sanitation packs and t-shirts. There was also a COVID information station for participants to ask questions and receive information about the vaccine in an unbiased way.

Anyone who had high blood pressure or blood sugar readings will receive follow-up calls from Drs. Macklin with additional resources and next steps. The two sisters were aided by another 2003 Heights graduate, nurse Monique Carter.

21st Century Coordinator Meghan McMahon described the twins as “dynamic. Their energy level is just awesome.” They’ve recently been contracted to run a six-week long Healthy Science Lab at Noble to teach students the science behind cooking and how to incorporate healthy foods into their diets. Maybe we can have (turkey) burgers and (normal) blood pressure together, after all.