On Friday, May 16, 2025, Associate Professor Dr. Supakorn Pongbangpho, President of the University of Phayao, presided over the opening ceremony of the Sumrit Suk Center. The center serves as a prototype facility aimed at developing a comprehensive community-based elderly care system. It offers services that promote health, prevent disease, and integrate care and rehabilitation, while also functioning as a hub for academic outreach to the elderly.
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Located in Mae Sai Subdistrict, Mueang Phayao District, Phayao Province, this center was made possible through the generous donation of land and buildings by Nun Sumrit Jobkit, for the benefit of the local population. During the ceremony, Mr. Sakhon Nata, President of the Mae Sai Subdistrict Administrative Organization, delivered a welcoming speech, while Assistant Professor Dr. Somkid Juwa, Dean of the School of Public Health, outlined the purpose and objectives of establishing this prototype center.
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The event was attended by university executives, government officials, and over 120 elderly participants who received medical checkups and participated in various wellness activities. The event featured collaborative health screening services provided by multiple faculties, including fall risk assessments by the School of Allied Health Sciences, screenings for dementia, osteoporosis, vision and hearing problems by the School of Medicine, oral health checkups and periodontal assessments by the School of Dentistry, and body composition analysis and pre-senior nutritional counseling by the School of Medical Sciences.
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Additionally, the School of Nursing conducted caregiver training sessions, while the School of Public Health organized health literacy and recreational activities. The event also featured traditional Thai medicine services, such as herbal treatments for knee pain, and traditional Chinese medicine, including aromatic herbal sachets for health enhancement.
The kickoff of the Sumrit Suk Center represents a significant step forward in the University of Phayao’s mission to serve the community. It reflects a collaborative effort between various faculties of the university, the Phayao Provincial Administrative Organization, and the Mae Sai Subdistrict Administrative Organization. This initiative aims to establish a health learning hub by applying academic knowledge directly to real-world settings, improving the quality of life for the elderly, and providing a replicable model for other communities.
The development of this center marks the beginning of a transformation in elderly health care, creating a strong support system for aging populations and promoting sustainable well-being. It paves the way for Phayao to become a model province for societal well-being in the future.