HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy

 

A Summer at HMS 

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Student Interns:

Jessica Campanile, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
Kaylyn Hudson, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Katherine Jo, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Jessica Pederson, Drexel University College of Medicine

 

Academic Preceptors:

Hillary R. Bogner, MD, MSCE, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

Joan I. Gluch, PhD, RDH, PHDHP, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

Zach Kassutto, MD, FAAP, Drexel University College of Medicine

Christopher B. Renjilian, MD, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Community Preceptors:

Julie Conway, SLPD, CCC-SLP, ATP, HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Teresa Giardina, BSEd, HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy

 

Community Site:

HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy is in the University City neighborhood of West Philadelphia. The school serves students aged 5 to 21 who have cerebral palsy or other complex disabilities. HMS School’s mission focuses on enabling all students to reach their maximum potential. They do this by promoting independence and improving the quality of life for their students in a safe and secure environment, so that each student can lead a fulfilling, stimulating life, now and as an adult. www.hmsschool.org

 

Team’s Experience:
Each Bridging the Gaps student intern was paired with a teacher at HMS School and served as that teacher’s assistant throughout the extended school year program. The interns assisted with recreational activities, lesson plans, and student transportation to therapies, and they observed students while they participated in physical, speech, and occupational therapy. During weekly meetings with preceptors, the interns learned about various aspects of care for the students, ranging from feeding needs to their adult transitioning period.

 

Intern Statements:

Jessica Campanile: “Each day I worked at HMS increasingly validated my decision to spend my summer with these young people and all of the staff who care for them. In experiencing their joys, frustrations, jokes, and challenges alongside them, I have expanded my emotional and technical skills to more holistically care for patients with disabilities in my future practice and examine my positionality as a provider in this space.” 

 

Kaylyn Hudson: “The few months I have spent at the HMS School for kids with cerebral palsy has been the most transformative summer of my life. I have grown professionally, but, more importantly, personally. I have made relationships with students, teachers, staff, and other interns that I will cherish for a lifetime. I can say with certainty that I will be more prepared to treat patients with a wide range of disabilities in my career and be able to advocate for them with passion because I have developed more of a love for this population than I already had. Since I was 5, I have always had a passion for serving the disability community, but the summer I have spent at the HMS school has developed my love for serving this population even further.” 

 

Katherine Jo: “Spending my summer at HMS was a very moving experience. Though I had prior internships working with people with disabilities, this was my first time working with children with cerebral palsy. Admittedly, I had some doubts about how I could be helpful in this new community, and I had moments of feeling overwhelmed in the first few days. However, I quickly learned that my role was not necessarily to know how everything worked, but to try my best to learn and improve day in and day out. One aspect that I found motivating was how passionate every teacher, TA, specialist, nurse, etc. was in caring for the children. They understand each child and their specific nuances so well, and I have learned so much that I hope to bring into my future career in healthcare.” 

 

Jessica Pederson: “This summer was an amazing experience. I am interested in going into pediatrics, and getting to have hands-on experience with the amazing community at HMS will make me a better physician in the future. Going into this summer, I was not informed about the spectrum of access needs for students with cerebral palsy. I learned so much about the uniqueness of everyone at the school and how passionate the students are to be there every day regardless of their limits. I became more patient, caring, and thoughtful because of my connections with the students in my classroom. HMS is a great place for everyone to learn from. The occupational, physical, movement, art, speech, and music therapists are all so passionate about the students, and it was inspiring to see.”

 

 

Impact Services

 

The Veterans Reintegration Program

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Student Interns:

Casey Halejak, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice
Ella Jang, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing

 

Academic Preceptors:

Zvi D. Gellis, PhD, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice

Ann L. O’Sullivan, PhD, FAAN, CRNP, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing

 

Community Preceptor:

Michelle Shuler, Supervisor of Veterans Case Management, Impact Services

 

Community Site:

Impact Services works to promote community development, end veteran homelessness, and provide workforce reentry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals in the Kensington area. Using a housing-first model, the Veteran Services department offers a variety of housing and case management services to address the needs of homeless and low-income veterans and their families. https://www.impactservices.org/

 

Team’s Experience: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns identified potential community health needs of the veterans and focused on educating the residents on oral hygiene and cardiovascular health. Oral hygiene programming included three sessions on increasing awareness of oral health’s impact on overall health, what practices and tools can improve oral health, and potential ways to receive dental care through insurance benefits and reduced costs through community health resources and Philadelphia dental schools. Regarding cardiovascular health, the interns worked with the veterans to clarify any questions about the medications they were taking, mitigate issues surrounding health literacy, and find solutions to implement a heart-healthy lifestyle. Along with these projects, the interns spent time listening to the veterans’ stories and giving them an opportunity to be heard.

 

Intern Statements:

Casey Halejak: “My work with the veterans at Impact Services reinforced my ability to create a therapeutic alliance. I had limited face-to-face interaction with clients during my first-year internship. I focused on oral health with the veterans, which created a sense of humility. I shared knowledge as someone educated on the subject but not an expert. This allowed for a two-way dialogue where they taught me more.”

 

Ella Jang: “Each person I met made me realize this job was not solely to ‘help people’; the job gave me the responsibility to be there for people who needed someone to depend on when they were the most vulnerable. I felt a strong reassurance that I was doing something that helped an individual and gave them a chance to tell their stories. As a future nurse, I hope to utilize the interpersonal skills, communication skills, and empathy I gained from this experience to advocate for patients.”

 

 

MANNA

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The Impact of Nutrition in 2022: Food as Medicine

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Student Interns:

Merik Gillespie, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine

Kaitlyn Owens, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

James Tang, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing

 

Academic Preceptors:

Joan I. Gluch, PhD, RDH, PHDHP, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

Ann L. O’Sullivan, PhD, FAAN, CRNP, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing

Brittany Watson, MS, VMD, PhD, DACVPM, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine

 

Community Preceptor:

Adrian Glass Crafford, MPH, MANNA

Jule Anne Henstenburg, PhD, RD, LDN, FAND, MANNA

 

Community Site:

MANNA is a leader in evidence-based nutrition services, bringing together dietitians, chefs, drivers, and thousands of volunteers to cook and deliver nutritious, medically appropriate meals and provide nutrition counseling to neighbors who are battling serious illnesses such as cancer, renal disease, and HIV/AIDS. From hands-on cooking classes and nutrition counseling to the delivery of three meals a day, seven days a week, MANNA provides nourishment, hope, and healing to the greater Philadelphia area, southern New Jersey, and beyond.
https://mannapa.org

 

Team’s Experience: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked on a variety of projects at MANNA. They helped administer client exit surveys, which provide valuable feedback on meals, health outcomes, nutrition education, and the delivery process. With the goal of increasing survey response rate and being aware of the relatively low digital literacy and older age of MANNA’s primary clients, the interns spoke to clients on the phone and were able to walk them through the process. For clients who may have been eligible for extended time on the MANNA program, the interns completed telephone recertification forms with them and connected with their referring healthcare providers. The interns were also involved in a 12-week fruits and vegetables campaign for which they created fliers to be sent out to the clients every week along with the meals. These fliers included facts, tips, tricks, and recipes to inspire the clients to increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables. The interns also investigated the reasons why clients opted out of the program by coding four years of client exit reasons into categories. From there, they analyzed the data, created graphs, and made suggestions based on client responses. Along with these projects, the interns spent time each week alongside volunteers in the kitchen, where they participated in the cooking, packaging, and distribution of the meals that MANNA provides.

 

Intern Statements: 

Merik Gillespie: “At MANNA I was able to meet and speak to many different people from all walks of life and broaden my understanding of what it means to be a part of a community. It was refreshing to speak with such a diverse population of workers, volunteers, and clients and to learn about each individual’s unique experiences and background. Through BTG I’ve learned valuable lessons about the injustices that the people of Philadelphia face and, combined with the interpersonal skills I developed at MANNA, truly believe this experience will help me to respect, connect with, and empower my clients in the future.”
 

Kaitlyn Owens: “I am truly grateful that I have had the opportunity to have interned at MANNA through BTG where I have learned about a resource that could be of great benefit to my future patients. Patients that come to the dental school sometimes have complex health histories that we have to be aware of in order to provide the best care possible for them. At MANNA I was able to witness how proper nutrition plays a large role in the health of the clients and learn more about the community that MANNA and my school are a part of. This internship has shown me that healing is often a lifelong process that continues long after the patient leaves your office doors.” 

 

James Tang: “Through BTG, I had the opportunity to intern at MANNA and investigate the connection between food and medicine. Coming into nursing school, I imagined myself focusing on administering medications, performing physical assessments, and becoming deeply involved in the science of medicine, but I did not realize what a large role nutrition plays in a patient’s lifestyle. BTG has opened my eyes to the challenges that members of this community face, ways I can address these issues, and how I can carry what I have learned into my own practice.”

 

 

No More Secrets, Mind Body Spirit Inc

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Never Too Early, Never Too Late: A Summerlong Commitment to Empowering Marginalized Women to Be More Knowledgeable and Comfortable About Their Bodies

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Student Intern: 

Madeline Bradley, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Alicia Selvera, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Academic Preceptor: 

Hillary R. Bogner, MD, MSCE, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

Joan I. Gluch, PhD, RDH, PHDHP, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

Christopher B. Renjilian, MD, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Community Preceptor: 

Nya McGlone, MS, COO, No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit Inc. 

Lynette Medley, MEd, CEO, No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit Inc

 

Community Site: 

With a mission to decrease stigma, silence, and secrecy by increasing self-esteem, socialization, and self-love, No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit Inc. addresses period poverty through a harm-reduction model, providing menstrual and personal hygiene products directly to women who need them. The organization aims to empower and decrease risk in vulnerable populations, promote honest discussions about periods, and provide education and solutions to people experiencing period poverty.

https://www.nomoresecretsmbs.org

 

Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns designed the “Menstrual Product Guide” for speakers of other languages to be posted around the SPOT Period menstrual hub. They also created fliers and social media posts for a Community Day, which they hosted. They created educational resources to be shared on social media and started Tooth Tip Tuesday at the SPOT Period. The interns also engaged with the community in a variety of ways, including packing menstrual product bags for visitors, calling to make appointments, and listening to shared experiences. They spent time talking with other organizations and learning about the challenges that No More Secrets faces when forming partnerships. They also formed a connection at Penn, where they plan to assist Penn undergrads in creating a SPOT satellite hub that will serve West Philadelphians. Lastly, the interns systemized forms and documents to streamline sign-in processes and provide real-time numbers for future funding and grant opportunities at the SPOT. Their experience at the SPOT Period culminated in a two-day interactive workshop titled “Know Yourself: Period” to teach girls aged 10 to 14 about periods, personal hygiene, and self-care to end the period shame stigma. Team members are confident a lasting impact will be made in young girls' lives given the education and open conversations provided around informed decision making. 

 

Intern Statement:

Madeline Bradley and Alicia Selvera: “During ‘Know Yourself: Period,’ when asked what the most important takeaway was, one 11-year-old declared, ‘Why we have a period!’ When asked what problems they encountered, we heard ‘Boys make fun of girls and think we are dirty for being on our period.’ Being able to empower young girls through education and destigmatizing experiences, we feel certain these young women will make their own choices confidently. Packing period products, teaching educational classes, and leading Community Day taught us how to listen to the needs of community members and the importance of being intentional with how resources and information are given and received. Through interactions with other community organizations and internal conversations at the SPOT period, we learned about how systemic racism and implicit bias affect who benefits from community outreach. We were also able to form a bridge between the organization and the academic institutions from which we come from.”

 

 

Old Pine Community Center

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Expanding Meal and Grocery Program to Fight Food Insecurity

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Student Interns:

Haley Cohen, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine

Camryn Rosen, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine

 

Academic Preceptors:

Hillary R. Bogner, MD, MSCE, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine 

Christopher B. Renjilian, MD, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine 

Brittany Watson, MS, VMD, PhD, DACVPM, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine

 

Community Preceptors:

Mark Atwood, Old Pine Community Center

 

Community Site:

Old Pine Community Center (OPCC) is a nonprofit organization located in Society Hill that offers programs and services for Philadelphia residents. During the week, they offer after-school activities and a summer camp for kids. On the weekends, OPCC facilitates a free grocery delivery service and serves to-go meals. OPCC’s 20,000 square feet are used in various ways: Local small businesses use the kitchen space, music and art teachers use the classroom space, and private groups use the hall and the gym for functions and fundraisers. OPCC’s mission is to provide inclusive programs and services that uplift those in need by reducing inequality through the enhancement of education and the elimination of food insecurity.
https://oldpinecommunitycenter.org

 

Team’s Experience: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns’ main objective was to help expand the free grocery delivery service and to-go meals by researching potential community partners in Philadelphia. They collected, sifted through, and organized information about various local organizations by exploring websites, making phone calls, and even checking out their Facebook pages. The information they collected included details on organizations’ food-related services as well as their constituencies, scopes, and missions. The interns also assisted with preparing the weekend grab-and-go meals and labeling/filling grocery bags for the free grocery delivery program (in partnership with Puentes de Salud), and they distributed smoking cessation resources and oral health kits via the to-go meals and the grocery bags. Smaller projects included creating a Spanish-language reference sheet, collecting some big-picture data on the community, suggesting updates to the OPCC tobacco policy, reviewing the OPCC website for typos and outdated information, updating bulletin boards, and assisting with activities for the summer camp.

 

Intern Statements:

Haley Cohen: “Over the summer, I grew to understand how interconnected Old Pine Community Center (OPCC) is with other organizations. It’s not just OPCC does OPCC’s thing; it's an interdependent network. When I think about my work in the future, BTG has (as for so many others) reaffirmed for me that whatever else I end up having to do, I really need to make sure that I have the opportunity to do something meaningful to me. During our Wednesday sessions, we got the message (in many different ways) ‘here's this big problem’ and ‘it’s up to us’ to ‘go out and change the world.’ I’ve had to remind myself that it cannot be my burden to bear every problem. At the same time, I’m learning to appreciate the value of knowing about lots of issues, despite being unable to solve them all. When the opportunity arises, the knowledge of a particular issue can empower me, with small in-the-moment actions, to make a difference, even in areas beyond my focus.”

Camryn Rosen: “Where I have grown up and have gone to school has always felt like a bubble. ​​The Bridging the Gaps program allowed me to break out of this bubble, be placed at a site in a different part of Philadelphia, and work alongside people with completely different experiences and understandings of health and what it means to be healthy. Although we have different backgrounds and come from different places, in the end, we were all brought together and have something to which we can relate. With different experiences, interests, and life stories, at Old Pine, we are connected and can have meaningful conversations that feel vulnerable yet comfortable. And the interconnectedness between my peer interns in the program and the community members we serve has allowed me to broaden the work I see myself doing in the future.”

 

 

Philadelphia Family Pride

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Finding Agency in LGBTQIA+ Parenthood: An Exploration of Family Formation Through Education, Advocacy, and Community.

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Student Interns:

Phoebe Cunningham, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Academic Preceptors:

Hillary R. Bogner, MD, MSCE, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
Christopher B. Renjilian, MD, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Community Preceptors:

Stephanie Haynes, Executive Director, Philadelphia Family Pride

 

Community Site:

Philadelphia Family Pride is a community-based nonprofit built by and for LGBTQIA+ parents and prospective parents in the Philadelphia area. Their work spans community building, educational events, and political advocacy. There are two part-time staff members, the executive director, and the assistant director, who worked the BTG intern. An involved board of directors contributes to events and spearheads projects.
https://www.philadelphiafamilypride.org

 

Team’s Experience:
Each year, Philadelphia Family Pride (PFP) organizes a seminar series, Paths to Parenthood. This free online program is important for prospective LGBTQIA+ parents to strengthen their agency in navigating the process of starting or expanding their families. Various parenting options, such as foster care, adoption, and surrogacy, are widely considered in LGBTQIA+ families, and PFP wants prospective parents to have the necessary information — including emotional, legal, and financial considerations — to make the best decision for themselves. Paths to Parenthood also strives to create a community of those navigating the many valid parenting options and those currently raising children. These connections facilitate sharing experiential knowledge specific to the LGBTQIA+ parenthood journey and lending support, as being a parent is filled with both joys and challenges. The Bridging the Gaps student intern spearheaded Paths to Parenthood, organizing seven virtual sessions and one in-person social meet-up. In addition, the intern formulated and edited statements surrounding local legislation, supported social and community events for families, and created an organizational manual.

 

Intern Statements:

Phoebe Cunningham: “Hearing parents throughout these sessions pushed me to consider parenthood and family from different perspectives. Current parents would talk about the decision to start a family and the communication and support that went into the process. They would share challenges with the foster care system and with the healthcare system, highlighting the intersection of homophobia, fatphobia, and racism. And many times, they would share the spaces they created to combat these systemic problems:  the summer camps they launched, the children they mentored, and the support networks they grew. Their role as parents stood out as a thread in a larger narrative of advocacy, family, and mutual aid. For me, seeing a path carved out ahead of you makes it easier to imagine and create that place for you and your family. Lastly, I valued holding space for fun family events adjacent to educational and advocacy sessions such as on Dobbs v. Jackson and recent trans and non-binary youth protections, highlighting how queer parenthood extends beyond just having a child.”

 

 

Philadelphia FIGHT Pediatric and Adolescent Health Center

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Philadelphia FIGHT — Inclusive, Accessible, Integrated Healthcare

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Student Intern:

Bridget Cichon, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Ashhad Qureshi, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

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Academic Preceptors:

Hillary R. Bogner, MD, MSCE, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

Maria Hervada-Page, MSS, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Christopher B. Renjilian, MD, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Community Preceptor:

Mario Cruz, MD, Philadelphia FIGHT Pediatric and Adolescent Health Center

 

Community Site:

Philadelphia FIGHT Pediatric and Adolescent Health Center, located in Center City, provides high-quality, comprehensive primary care to address the physical and emotional health needs of children and youth up to the age of 24. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), FIGHT welcomes patients of all income levels, races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, insurance statuses, and nationalities, regardless of ability to pay.
https://fight.org/programs/pediatric-and-adolescent-health-center/

 

Team’s Experience:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns at Philadelphia FIGHT Pediatric and Adolescent Health Center created bilingual patient education materials for FIGHT’s website and social media about topics such as autism, mental health support, stories about going to the doctor and dentist, and virtual tours. Additionally, the interns created and executed plans to make the FIGHT environment more inclusive, such as designing more interactive and friendly waiting rooms, adding toy bins for patient use, and decorating exam rooms. The interns also assisted in research efforts in areas of audiometry, child abuse reporting, and gender-affirming care. Finally, they observed patient care and assisted staff with day-to-day operations and patient needs.

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Intern Statement:

Bridget Cichon: “I am grateful that I had the opportunity to serve the FIGHT community this summer. The healthcare teams at FIGHT have created an immensely inclusive environment that serves a diverse population of patients. I have greatly enjoyed working with the staff, the patients, and my co-intern to improve the patient care experience. The combination of the high-quality integrated care, inclusive space, and accessibility of resources at FIGHT has created an environment that I hope to emulate as a future healthcare provider.”

 

Ashhad Qureshi: “It was a privilege to be a part of a health center that recognized the importance of utilizing a holistic approach to address the needs of its community, while truly celebrating that community. I was able to witness the extensive collaboration across the multitude of disciplines, which forms the cornerstone for the excellent integrated care at FIGHT. I was in awe of everyone I worked with and their deep commitment to serving the community, which consists of many folks belonging to historically marginalized groups. I also learned a lot about the administrative and operational aspects of a FQHC and the role providers have in those spaces. With the mentorship of Dr. Cruz and the support of my co-intern, I was able to realize the kind of impact one could have even in the short span of seven weeks. As a future provider, I hope to work at and cultivate a similar environment of collaboration, inclusion, and community-centered care.”

 

 

Prevention Point Philadelphia

 

Harm Reduction at Prevention Point

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Student Interns:

Joseph Beaty, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine 

Christopher Garrick, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

 

Academic Preceptors:

Hillary R. Bogner, MD, MSCE, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

Maria Hervada-Page, MSS, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Christopher B. Renjilian, MD, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Community Preceptors:

Ben Cocchiaro, MD, MPH, Prevention Point Philadelphia

Margaret Lowenstein, MD, MSHP, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Community Site:

Prevention Point Philadelphia is a harm-reduction organization located in the Kensington section of the city. Started in 1991 as an outgrowth of Philadelphia’s chapter of ACT UP (the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), it was an illegal grassroots syringe service that aimed to reduce HIV transmission among people who injected drugs. In 1992, then-Mayor Ed Rendell overrode Pennsylvania state law and issued an executive order legalizing the possession of syringes. Since then, Prevention Point has expanded its services to include medical case management, medication-assisted treatment of substance-use disorders, naloxone (Narcan) distribution, overdose prevention education, mail services, bathroom services, housing, and meals.

https://ppponline.org/

 

Team’s Experience: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns assisted with the needle exchange program and the Stabilization Treatment and Engagement Program (STEP). For the needle exchange program, they distributed resources and connected community members to Prevention Point services that met their immediate needs. In the STEP program, they collaborated with community members to address obstacles to their recovery from opioid-use disorders. The BTG interns appreciated the importance of mindfulness in recovery care in order to amplify the voices of community members.

 

Intern Statements: 

Joseph Beaty and Christopher Garrick: We spent our summer at Prevention Point studying and practicing the principles of harm reduction. Integrated into Prevention Point’s care model is the recognition that no health professional can ever force a patient to ‘get better’; patients must feel empowered to define what ‘better’ means to them. Through our conversations with participants, we learned to ask how we can fit the specific needs of each patient, rather than confining a patient to a rigid care model that doesn’t work for them. Prevention Point’s limited resources often made meeting these specific needs ‘difficult.’ We learned the importance of reaching out to and building relationships with outside community organizations to better serve our participants.”

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Puentes de Salud

 

Expansion of Health and Wellness Services at Puentes de Salud (Brittany Chavez)

Expansion of the Complex Care Program at Puentes de Salud (Elizabeth Whidden)

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Student Intern: 

Brittany Chavez, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College 

Elizabeth Whidden, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Academic Preceptor:

Hillary R. Bogner, MD, MSCE, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

Maria Hervada-Page, MSS, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College 

Christopher B. Renjilian, MD, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Community Preceptor:

Daphne Owen, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

Leah Reisman, PhD, Health and Wellness Director, Puentes de Salud

 

Community Site: 

Puentes de Salud is a nonprofit organization that promotes the health and wellness of Philadelphia’s rapidly growing Latinx immigrant population through high-quality healthcare, innovative educational programs, and community building.

https://www.puentesdesalud.org

 

Team’s Experience:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked on separate projects. Brittany helped with expansion of the behavioral and mental health services by conducting research for mental health training materials and culturally competent mental health screener tools. She adapted and translated relevant training material so that it can be used to facilitate training sessions for the community health workers (promotoras). She also worked closely with the promotoras to gather recipes and create nutrition education materials for diabetic patients. In addition, she worked with the food access and case management coordinator to help clients with a variety of services as well as financial, medical, and other important documentation. 

 

Elizabeth worked on a complex care program that supports patients with complex medical needs that cannot be fully addressed in a primary care setting. The goal of the program is to help these patients, most of whom are undocumented and therefore uninsured, apply for emergency health insurance when needed and to schedule appointments at Philadelphia Health Centers or with specialists. Elizabeth’s role consisted of coordinating care, including holding weekly office hours in the clinic, overseeing other medical student complex care coordinators, and developing training for new coordinators.

 

Intern Statement: 

Brittany Chavez: “My internship at Puentes de Salud taught me that there is power in community, and it can be extremely challenging for undocumented, Spanish-speaking families to find this when they settle in this country. Whether I was helping a client with a financial assistance program or having a promotora teach me portion sizes using the palm of my hand, I felt a sense of belonging. Part of that is because I am a brown, native Spanish-speaking woman whose own mother had to navigate the system in similar ways to patients I have met at Puentes. However, it is also because Puentes de Salud has staff that is willing to accommodate for and meet patients where they are in their health and healing journeys. Throughout my career I will reflect on my experience at Puentes de Salud and be reminded that empowering my community is possible when all social determinants of health are taken into account.” 

 

Elizabeth Whidden: “My experience serving at Puentes de Salud with Bridging the Gaps has taught me so much about the experience of the undocumented Latinx community, how health insurance works, and how few options this community has to access quality healthcare. As someone who wants to go into a primary care career in community health, I am so thankful to have learned so much about how healthcare and insurance systems work as well as all the (albeit limited) resources that such a marginalized group can access. I know I will apply this knowledge in my future career and hopefully be able to connect some of my uninsured and undocumented patients with these resources that unfortunately not many providers are aware of. On a more personal level, I am so thankful to have formed the personal connections with my patients, fellow volunteers, and clinic staff that I did. I plan to continue working at Puentes as a student volunteer for the remainder of my med school career, and I know that these newly formed and strengthened relationships will make my future experiences at Puentes all the more productive, rewarding, and valuable.”