Thomas Jefferson University 2022 Summaries​
Maternity Care Coalition, Cribs for Kids Program
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Cribs for Kids at Maternity Care Coalition
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Student Interns:
Sydney Jones, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy
Academic Preceptors:
Amanda Lyons, MS, OTD, OTR/L, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy
Community Preceptors:
Shauntay Murray, MHA, CLC, Program Director, Cribs for Kids
Community Site:
Maternity Care Coalition, Cribs for Kids Program provides cribs and safe sleep education to families in the Philadelphia area with the aim of reducing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
https://maternitycarecoalition.org/cribs-for-kids/
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student intern screened and assessed clients over the phone, collecting demographic information, determining eligibility to receive a crib, evaluating access to care, and evaluating knowledge of safe sleep practices. The intern also presented during safe sleep workshops, delivered cribs to homes, and created handouts for clients with information on smoking cessation and how to keep your baby safe if other individuals in the household smoke. The intern also compiled lists of external resources that Cribs for Kids team members often refer clients to into a master list to ensure that clients are referred to appropriate resources as needed.
Intern Statements:
Sydney Jones: “The Bridging the Gaps Community Health Internship Program has had a significant impact on both my personal and professional development. Listening to individual clients I noticed recurring trends such as lack of access to care, difficulty navigating social services, and a lack of knowledge of safe sleep practices. This experience taught me the importance of acknowledging potential barriers that clients may face daily. Additionally, this experience exposed me further to the impacts of social determinants of health in the Philadelphia area and the drastic differences between zip codes. Professionally, this experience has made me more aware of barriers that individuals face and will make me more cognizant of environmental context when working with future patients. I also learned the importance of authenticity when working with clients to ensure a comfortable and trusting relationship. Personally, this experience has sparked my interest in working with non-English-speaking clients and advocating for these clients as they navigate our complex healthcare and social service systems. Delivering the cribs to the clients’ homes was extremely heartwarming, and it was comforting to know that each day we were making an infant’s sleep environment safer.”
Mazzoni Center
The Scoop on PrEP and Navigating the Treatment of HIV
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Student Interns:
Lex Farrah, Bryn Mawr College, Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research
Selena Maity, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Samantha Mauser, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Gregory Whitehorn, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Academic Preceptor:
Maria Hervada-Page, MSS, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
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Community Preceptor:
Andrew Gudzelak, Mazzoni Center
Karen Minyety, Mazzoni Center
Eric Paulukonis, Mazzoni Center
Community Site:
The Mazzoni Center provides a range of healthcare and social services in an LGBTQ-focused environment. The main site is located at Broad and Bainbridge; the other site, Washington West (mainly for STI and HIV testing), is at 12th and Locust. The Mazzoni Center serves patients through gender-affirming care, primary care, testing and prevention, mental health support, insurance navigation, a food bank, and other modalities.
https://www.mazzonicenter.org
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns created a survey and administered it to Mazzoni patients to better understand barriers to PrEP adherence. In addition, they created informational brochures for clients on topics such as health insurance and sexual health testing recommendations. The interns provided support to the medical case management team by organizing information and creating more streamlined systems for collecting and managing clients’ data and medical files in a way that ensures patient privacy. They also helped strategize regarding impact of the services and overall well-being of the patients. In addition, the interns helped replenish and stock the food bank and distributed bags of groceries to individuals. They provided the food bank team with cardiovascular health information about heart-healthy eating to be offered to all those who come for a food bag.
Intern Statements:
Lex Farrah: “Meeting the ‘legacy patients,’ who are important members of the community that have been receiving healthcare and medical case management services for several decades, was an incredibly rewarding experience. My internship was an amazing experience with many special moments and impactful conversations that I will take with me throughout my career. It was a privilege to hear patients’ stories and inspiring to connect with individuals who have paved the way for social change. Their work enables us to be where we are today. My experience at Mazzoni motivates me professionally as an advocate for healthcare equity but also personally as a member of the LGBTQ community. I enjoyed working with the social workers, learning more details about their roles and the training they have received. My exposure to their work allows me to feel more certain that work in social services/public health/healthcare nonprofit management truly is my calling.”
Selena Maity and Samantha Mauser: “Our internship at Mazzoni has inspired us to further consider what it means to be a compassionate provider. There are so many people within the LGBTQ+ community that justifiably do not trust the medical system. They are not treated with the respect they deserve. However, the staff at the Mazzoni Center works incredibly hard to provide patients with the care they need. The Mazzoni Center puts their patients first. Through navigators and care coordinators, the Mazzoni Center supports patients through resources traditionally outside of the healthcare sphere. It has been a pleasure to learn from the Mazzoni team. We look forward to applying our newfound knowledge as we continue on our journey to become clinicians ourselves.”
Greg Whitehorn: “Bridging the Gaps has played a crucial role in my professional development as I continue my studies in medical school. The Mazzoni Center is a wonderful place that practices in a patient-centered model. Everything that a patient may need in a given visit (primary care, insurance navigation, social services, legal team, etc.) is housed in one building. The staff is friendly and warm, and this helps to create a space where people feel welcome and comfortable. Traditionally, the LGBTQ+ community has faced discrimination in the healthcare setting. It is so important to create spaces like the Mazzoni Center, where patients receive the care they deserve and should have received all along.”
Mercy Neighborhood Ministries
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Mercy Neighborhood Ministries: Outreach Through the Lifespan
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Student Interns:
Angela Deibler, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy
Chloe Fish, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy
Academic Preceptor:
Amanda Lyons, MS, OTD, OTR/L, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy
Community Preceptor:
Barbara Coleman, MS, Educational Leadership and Administration, Mercy Neighborhood Ministries
Community Site:
Mercy Neighborhood Ministries is in the Nicetown-Tioga section of North Philadelphia. Mercy serves the whole community, with services for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. Examples of services include Head Start, work readiness programs, and an adult day program. Their mission is to help underserved individuals in the community and fight the cycle of poverty.
https://mercyneighbors.org/
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns primarily assisted with a preschool summer day program. They worked alongside teachers, helping facilitate various activities relating to play and mealtimes and chaperoning field trips in the community. The interns also presented crafts and activities focused on oral health, emphasizing the importance of brushing and flossing and helping the children practice proper brushing and flossing techniques.
Intern Statements:
Angela Deibler: “Overall, we learned about and experienced so much from working with populations of all different ages. One of the most impactful parts of this internship was when we interviewed a Mercy employee about her experience working in the community. The interview revealed that she loves her community, and people often underestimate its resources. She revealed that there are many beneficial resources available in the community around Mercy, from rental assistance programs to stress testing. We are so grateful to have had this opportunity to provide outreach throughout the lifespan!”
Chloe Fish: “Working at Mercy allowed us to experience the community of North Philadelphia through the lens of all age groups. Transitioning between working with older adults to younger children allowed us to develop skills in flexibility, adaptability, and patience. Additionally, we were able to learn a lot about ourselves as future clinicians in terms of which patient populations we would want to work with in the future. Working at Mercy allowed us to practice patience and learn about ourselves as future clinicians.”
Nationalities Service Center
Health Access and Health Maintenance from a Refugee Resettlement Perspective
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Student Interns:
Nike Adedoyin, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy
Carolyn Ream, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Academic Preceptor:
Maria Hervada-Page, MSS, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Amanda Lyons, MS, OTD, OTR/L, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy
Community Preceptor:
Kara Friesen, MA, Nationalities Service Center
Christina Kubica, MSW, LSW, Nationalities Service Center
Community Site:
Established in 1921, Nationalities Service Center (NSC) provides a variety of services for all refugees and immigrants, including case management, housing support, legal services, youth services, language proficiency classes, and many more. One of NSC's missions is to provide supports that promote health, well-being, and a higher quality of life for the population they serve.
https://nscphila.org
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked with NSC staff on the Inspire Summer Youth Program; they planned seven youth group sessions consisting of field trips, group activities, and educational resources to teach the importance of maintaining good cardiovascular health. They also gathered information about potential funding sources to expand an existing medical case management program. Within the Refugee Health Team, they organized and escorted NSC clients to healthcare visits and assisted clients in resolving unpaid healthcare bills and making necessary changes in health insurance.
Intern Statements:
Nike Adedoyin: “Participating in the Bridging the Gaps program was an enlightening experience that has taught us many valuable lessons. Being able to fully immerse ourselves within a community with such a rich cultural history has allowed us to better develop our interpersonal skills. We were able to give back to the city of Philadelphia and to enhance our educational experience. We were able to develop our interprofessional teamwork and communication skills. We were also given opportunities to network, collaborate, and learn from other healthcare professionals. This invaluable experience will help us in our future occupational and medical practice.”
Carolyn Ream: “We were able to view the healthcare system we will work within from the lens of refugees and social service workers, lending us some perspective to the challenges these groups might face when attempting to access care. As we become professionals and eventually leaders in our respective fields” I think that our work at NSC can provide a model for enhancing accessibility for patients of all backgrounds and life experiences.”
Philadelphia Senior Center Arts Branch
Aging in a Supportive Community
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Student Interns:
Kaira Crenshaw, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy
Sydney Rosenthal, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Pharmacy
Academic Preceptor:
Mary M. Hess, PharmD, FASHP, FCCM, FCCP, BCCCP, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Pharmacy
Amanda Lyons, MS, OTD, OTR/L, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy
Community Preceptors:
Mary Ellen Bolden, BSW, Philadelphia Senior Center
Julie Nelson, BS, Philadelphia Senior Center
Community Site:
The Philadelphia Senior Center on the Avenue of the Arts serves members aged 55 and older in the greater Philadelphia community. The center is a wonderful place for seniors to keep growing, learning, laughing, and connecting with the world around them. It offers a wide range of services at little or no cost to members. The center provides prepared food pickup (grab and go during the COVID-19 pandemic), farmers market vouchers, health-promoting services, and resources for seniors to learn, grow, and discover new ways to be actively engaged in living. As part of PSC’s Services on Site (SOS) program, service coordinators assist seniors living in affordable-housing properties with a comprehensive array of health and supportive services to maintain their independence and dignity.
https://www.newcourtland.org/senior-centers/
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns provided educational opportunities for seniors to engage in discussions regarding various health topics such as cardiovascular health, oral health, heat exhaustion, and mental health. They also conducted nutritional risk assessments via telephone to identify at-risk seniors, then distributed farmers market vouchers, which the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging provides annually, to help promote fruit and vegetable consumption among lower-income seniors who would likely be unable to afford these foods on their own. In addition, the interns compiled booklets highlighting stories seniors wrote as part of the Best Day of My Life So Far program, which will be distributed at New Courtland sites and will be shared with other seniors. The interns also promoted the seniors’ participation in physical activity by teaching weekly yoga classes.
Intern Statements:
Kaira Crenshaw: “I really enjoyed my experience at the Philadelphia Senior Center, and I learned a lot from all the members and staff, and I am so grateful for them. My biggest takeaway from the experience is to always treat others with kindness. Also, everyone has at least one thing they could teach you. I look forward to continuing to find opportunities to help serve underserved populations in the future.”
Sydney Rosenthal: “I enjoyed learning from and getting to know the seniors who attend the Philadelphia Senior Center. This experience helped me to understand the opportunities and programs available to seniors in the Philadelphia area. There is a large range of seniors who attend the center — some enjoy programming, while others are there for food or social services. Most of the seniors who attend the center are independent and healthy. These seniors crave activities and mental stimulation as well as a sense of community. I am grateful that a center like this exists and am hopeful that in a couple of months it will be filled with seniors as it was pre-COVID.”
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse
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Student Interns:
Kendra Domotor, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Lauren Furst, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Jane Muni, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
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Academic Preceptors:
Joan I. Gluch, PhD, RDH, PHDHP, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Maria Hervada-Page, MSS, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Ann L. O’Sullivan, PhD, FAAN, CPNP, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Community Preceptor:
Betsy Neiva, PhD, Smith Memorial Playground
Community Site:
Smith Memorial Playground opened in 1899 in East Fairmount Park, where it serves as a safe and welcoming urban area for unstructured play. Children of all backgrounds come together to play in nature and in the extensive playhouse and playgrounds surrounding the mansion. Smith Memorial Playground funds and hosts several community projects to bring kids and their families out to a safe and fun space to explore and, most important, to play!
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Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked in collaboration with the Smith Memorial Playground staff to run the summer camp for preschool kids (aged 4 and 5) and elementary kids (aged 6 to 9). The interns’ main role was to coordinate and carry out the summer camp’s daily activities and promote healthy social skills and group dynamics interns engaged the children in literature, creative arts, athletics, and science. Learning and socialization through play in Smith Memorial Playground’s vast outdoor playgrounds and indoor playhouse was a major component of the day camp’s goals.
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Intern Statement:
Kendra Domotor: “There was so much to love about working as a day camp counselor for Summer@Smith, but I especially enjoyed the oral health skit and workshop we did with the campers. I loved watching the metaphorical lightbulb go off in their heads when they figured out how to use their toothbrushes in small circular motions. It was more than just a fun activity; I truly believe it will help these children improve their oral health for a lifetime.”
Lauren Furst: “I enjoyed watching the kids grow throughout the summer and try new things every day. But I think the most impactful part of Summer@Smith was seeing how the social determinants of health play a role in every aspect of a person’s life, even as children. Awareness of SDOH, children’s experiences with trauma, and their impacts on behavior will make me a better and more empathetic pediatrician.”
Jane Muni: “Working at Smith was an incredible experience in so many different ways. What stood out the most for me is the opportunity to get a hands-on experience with kids and help them explore their creative and intellectual potential. I had never worked with kids before, and this opportunity gave me the inspiration to want to become a pediatric nurse. Other than that, I was able to improve my communication skills with the kids and my coworkers.”
Visitation Homes
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Visitation Homes: Collaboration in Community
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Student Interns:
Sara Mathai, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy
Hazel Moffatt, Bryn Mawr College, School of Social Work and Social Research
Academic Preceptors:
Maria Hervada-Page, MSS, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Amanda Lyons, MS, OTD, OTR/L, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy
Community Preceptors:
Zakiyyah Harris, Visitation Homes
Shawna Murray, Visitation Homes
Community Site:
Visitation Homes in Kensington provides permanent supportive housing and case management services to families who have experienced homelessness. Families reside in apartments and receive supportive services to support their transition to independent living and self-sufficiency. https://cssphiladelphia.org/services/visitation-homes/
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns planned and hosted health education sessions for the residents, focused on nutrition, cardiovascular health, oral health, and smoking cessation; these sessions included interactive activities and discussions. The interns also created educational materials about healthcare system navigation and health practices. They worked with the community preceptors, assisting with administrative work and providing support to assess community needs and resources. In addition, for the first two weeks of the internship, they planned and led a two-week summer camp for the children at Visitation Homes.
Intern Statement:
Sara Mathai: “I am thankful for my time at Visitation Homes, for the people I have met, and for the stories I have had the honor to learn from. Through my experiences here, I have learned to collaborate and learn from communities first before taking any steps to plan programs. I am leaving this experience more inspired, informed, and eager to join the efforts of the many amazing people who work to address barriers of injustice and inequity by bringing support and dedicated commitment to communities.”
Hazel Moffatt: “My time with BTG and Visitation Homes has not only been productive but meaningful, intriguing, and impactful. It was a learning experience as I had a chance to connect with community members and get to know their perspectives. I got to observe both challenges and strengths that formerly homeless families living in Kensington have, and the ways in which macro social forces affect each family. The BTG sessions have helped me contextualize my fieldwork and connect it back to my academic background of social work while also learning more about health and healthcare from other interns. I am grateful for the BTG experience, the people I have met through it, and the ongoing motivation to fight social and health inequities I have found here.”
Wyss Wellness Center
Bypassing Language Barriers to Improve Wellness in a Diverse Community
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Student Interns:
Joseph Vachaparambil, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Amanda Wilgus, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy
Academic Preceptor:
Maria Hervada-Page, MSS, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Amanda Lyons, MS, OTD, OTR/L, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Occupational Therapy
Community Preceptors:
Jenna Gosnay, MSW, LSW, Social Worker, Wyss Wellness Center
Community Site:
The Wyss Wellness Center is a primary care facility in South Philadelphia. Most of the patients who seek services at Wyss Wellness Center are immigrants and refugees, and some do not speak English as a first language. The cost of healthcare is a common barrier also faced by patients. To work toward improving community wellness, Wyss Wellness Center provides clinical and support services to patients and works closely with SEAMAAC, a community organization, to facilitate community outreach.
https://wysswellnesscenter.org/
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns at the Wyss Wellness Center promoted community wellness by providing dental health education and supplies (toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss), organizing and holding a weekly food pantry, assisting in a digital literacy class, and improving access to healthcare by facilitating patient care. The dental health class they created was offered in Spanish, Indonesian, and Burmese to improve health literacy and comprehension of the information. The interns also created and distributed dental health resources including dental health determinants screening forms, informational flyers, and a list of affordable dental care options in the Philadelphia area.
Intern Statement:
Joseph Vachaparambil: “During my time at the Wyss Wellness Center, I enjoyed working with such a diverse patient population. Interacting with refugees, immigrants, and undocumented individuals exposed me to some of the unique challenges faced by those populations. My experiences in the wellness center also highlighted for me the roadblocks that exist in the current healthcare system for those who are uninsured and underinsured. Working with the excellent staff at the Wyss Wellness Center has also been invigorating, with everyone modeling compassionate care and going above and beyond to serve their patients. I will carry the lessons I have learned with me throughout my career, and I am so grateful for the opportunity this internship has provided.”
Amanda Wilgus: “The most profound aspect of this experience has been working with patients that are not proficient in English. I do not speak any other languages, so I had to rely on the CyraCom translator services for most of my patient encounters. Additionally, it was impactful to witness the direct impact that my work had on members of the community. My role allowed me to be a facilitator of access to healthcare for the Wyss Wellness Center patients and SEAMAAC clients. I am extremely grateful for this experience and will carry what I have learned into my future endeavors as an occupational therapist and as a member of the community.”
Youth Emergency Service (YES)
Educating Youth on CVD, Smoking Cessation, and Oral Health
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Student Interns:
Obehioye Isesele, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Austin Lowe, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Academic Preceptor:
Maria Hervada-Page, MSS, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Community Preceptor:
Gwendolyn Bailey, LSW, Executive Director, Youth Service, Inc., Youth Emergency Service
Community Site:
Located in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia, Youth Emergency Service (YES) is a nonprofit organization that provides immediate shelter and support services for children aged 12 to 18 who are facing housing insecurity or are unable to live with family safely. YES provides youth with food, on-site medical care, education support, and youth-centered activities to promote personal and professional development. It is YES’s goal to reunite youth with their families through a six-month intervention program that identifies and mitigates issues of safety.
https://ysiphilly.org/
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns presented medical information to the youth in a fun way. Every week, they planned lessons and activities on topics such as mental health, sexual health, and more. The primary lesson focused on cardiovascular disease, smoking cessation, and oral health, including the long-lasting effect of smoking on cardiovascular health and finances. The youth created anatomical hearts using clay and explored positive ways to combat stress, such as basketball and music. These activities presented the youth with ways to alleviate stress instead of smoking. Overall, the youth responded well to the lesson and were happy to find ways to deal positively with their stress.
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Intern Statement:
Obehioye Isesele: “Working at YES gave me the opportunity to work with a group of great kids. YES allowed me to see how the lack of physiological needs can affect a child’s physical and emotional well-being. I was inspired by the youth’s tenacity to live life to the fullest despite the struggles they have faced in life. The staff at YES give so much of themselves to provide the youth with a safe home environment. They often have to deal with the emotional reactions of the youth that stem from their trauma, yet they still are committed to helping the youth through their pain. I am honored to have worked at YES and will cherish the memories formed forever.”
Austin Lowe: “The goal we set out to accomplish was much more challenging than expected. The youth at YES are worried about the now and wanted an escape from it. If only a single youth’s habits were influenced by what we spoke about, I would consider that time well spent. The lessons we taught on cardiovascular health and smoking cessation were secondary in importance to the time we spent bonding with the youth outside of these lessons. There, we were able to speak about the youths’ dreams and goals and help them take steps toward them.”