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Barber National Institute
Mental Health & Relaxation (click to view poster)
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Student Intern:
Francesca Rogozinski, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Academic Preceptor:
Colleen Cole-Jeffrey, PhD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Community Preceptor:
Cynthia Bravo, BA, Barber National Institute
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Community Site:
Barber National Institute (BNI) is an organization that provides hope and opportunity to individuals of all ages with autism, intellectual disabilities, or behavioral health challenges. The BNI on West 16th Street in Erie provides a variety of services, including education, job training, and community participation supports (CPS). CPS goals include experiencing meaningful community participation and inclusion, increasing the potential for employment, increasing independence, building natural supports, developing and sustaining a range of valued social roles and relationships, and job training.
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Project:
The Bridging the Gaps student intern created a space for mental health and relaxation at the Barber National Institute. To create this space, the intern used supplies such as rocking chairs, a nonslip rug, pillows, and a laminator to create a sign for the “Chill Zone.” In this space, the student had detailed discussions with BNI clients on ways to improve coping mechanisms to deal with life stressors and ran various relaxation exercises with clients.
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Intern Reflections:
Francesca Rogozinski: “The experience that I have gained working with the Barber National Institute is one that is difficult to describe in words, because it is not one that a textbook would have ever given me the knowledge of. Working with individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities has been very valuable for my future career as a physician and how I interact with people in my own everyday life. The most valuable lesson that I have learned at the Barber National Institute is to listen — being able to sit with a client and be fully engaged in conversation and decoding the information that they are presenting to you to understand the situation fully. This is especially important in this population but also every future patient as well.”
Brevillier Village
Coming Together: An Afternoon with Friends and Family (click to view poster)
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Student Intern:
Corey Zinno, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Academic Preceptor:
Robert Waters, PhD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Community Preceptor:
Hannah Perrin, RN, Brevillier Village
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Community Site:
Brevillier Village is a nonprofit healthcare and housing community for seniors. Brevillier Village aims to create a community for seniors with the idea that individuals can belong to this special community and receive whatever level of care they need to thrive. Brevillier Village aims to provide comfort, safety, and a feeling of belonging to all who reside here.
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Project:
The Bridging the Gaps student intern sought to improve post-COVID-19 visitation rates for family and friends of higher-needs residents by sending the family of each resident at Brevillier Village an invitation to spend an afternoon with their loved one, complete with activities and beverages. This event provided a morale boost for the residents and further pointed out that Brevillier Village wants and welcomes family involvement.
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Intern Reflections:
Corey Zinno: “My time at Brevillier Village could not have been more valuable to my future career as a physician. I was constantly exposed to conditions and symptoms I have only ever read about and had real experience working with seniors who suffer from some level of dementia. Each resident was incredibly unique and an absolute pleasure to spend my time with. Each resident has a different level of memory function and different physical capabilities, and I have learned to be successful working with individuals anywhere on the spectrum. I am proud to say that I became a recognizable face and was able to develop meaningful relationships with many of the residents. I would not have traded my time at Brevillier Village for anything and would recommend every medical student take part in such a beneficial, immersive, and hands-on program provided by Bridging the Gaps.”
LECOM Nursing and Rehabilitation
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Mind, Body, and Spirit: Improving Health and Fitness at a Skilled Nursing Facility (click to view poster)
Student Intern:
Abdulmuhaimin Khatib, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Academic Preceptor:
Leah Labranche, PhD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Community Preceptor:
Jeffrey Stockhausen, NHA, LECOM Nursing and Rehabilitation
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Community Site:
LECOM Nursing & Rehabilitation is a skilled nursing facility that primarily provides long-term care for geriatric residents, but also provides care for acute rehabilitation patients. LECOM Nursing and Rehabilitation Center provides skilled and long-term care in a bright, inviting setting with a highly trained clinical staff. This 141-bed skilled nursing facility provides short- and long-term care services, including a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week respiratory therapy team with a pulmonary specialist. LECOM Nursing and Rehabilitation aims to make residents feel comfortable, safe, and cared for. LECOM Nursing and Rehabilitation focuses on the individual needs of each resident, allowing for excellent personalized care.
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Project:
The Bridging the Gaps student intern developed several ideas and participated in various departments while at the LECOM Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The first project involved working with the physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy departments to determine the common problems present in the geriatric population. The intern developed a simple stretching program for residents to perform every day to help increase their range of motion and improve their strength to help them perform physical therapy exercises. The intern also helped with research regarding the residents at the facility who suffered from flexion contractures due to hypoxic brain injury and introduced novel methods of treatment such as electrical stimulation to these patients. The second project involved addressing the residents’ mental health and was based on resident interviews and feedback regarding activities at the facility. The intern worked with the activities department to help introduce new games and invite a smoothie truck to keep the residents active and engaged at the facility. In addition, the intern worked with the social services department to screen new residents for any cognitive impairment and/or mental health issues, such as depression, in order to help the facility deliver a more holistic style of care. The intern also developed an oral health presentation to educate residents about dental hygiene and the importance of brushing and flossing daily.
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Intern Statement:
Abdulmuhaimin Khatib: “The experience I have had at the LECOM Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has helped me grow and mature as a future physician. As a student studying medicine, I originally believed everything was cookie-cutter and that a physician could simply diagnose and prescribe a treatment and be done with it. However, my experience at LECOM Nursing and Rehabilitation has taught me a great deal about the intersectionality of healthcare, especially in regard to insurance, socioeconomic status, and mental health. Working with the geriatric population is certainly a unique experience as well, and many of the residents have taught me valuable lessons about staying healthy as one ages, as well as the importance of communication and patience when treating this population. The Bridging the Gaps program has allowed me to work with a patient population that I may not normally work with, and I hope to apply the knowledge gained through this program in my practice. The program is a great opportunity for medical students to broaden their horizons and learn more regarding the reality of healthcare.”
LECOM Senior Living Center
Move It or Lose It: Maintaining Mobility (click to view poster)
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Student Interns:
Jeremy Berger, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Matthew Waibel, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Academic Preceptor:
Noelle Thielman, PhD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Community Preceptor:
Ryan DiDomenico, NHA, LECOM Senior Living Center
Community Site:
LECOM Senior Living Center is a skilled nursing facility providing primarily long-term care for geriatric residents, and acute rehabilitation for post-operative orthopedic patients. The facility excels at providing physical and occupational therapy for both populations. Residents are provided personalized care that allows maximization of independence for the individual while in a community setting.
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Project:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked on a project to create and implement a stretching activity to maintain or possibly improve extremity motion for participating residents. Residents had the opportunity to take part in small peer groups where they learned upper- and lower-extremity exercises focused on individually modifiable range of motion. Pool noodles were used to help improve grip strength and foster hand-eye coordination. The goal of the project was to maintain joint mobility in the geriatric population in a social and enjoyable environment.
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Intern Reflections:
Jeremy Berger: “The experiences that I had at LECOM Senior Living Center taught me so much about the geriatric population and will stay with me throughout my life. After starting, it immediately became apparent that diversity is vast with respect to medical needs and personalities of different residents. Even individuals with a common diagnosis display a wide variation in ability both physically and cognitively. My time with LECOM Senior Living Center has helped me understand that each person has a unique backstory and life experience. The Bridging the Gaps program has taught me lessons I will use to better serve my patients in the future.”
Matthew Waibel: “My time at the LECOM Senior Living Center was an invaluable experience for my personal and professional development. It was a privilege to be able to give back to the community of Erie by providing care to many of the residents. After having spent some time with the residents, I acquired a newfound appreciation towards serving the geriatric population. I will continue to utilize the skills and bedside manner I acquired through this experience throughout my future career as a physician. In summary, I hope to be an example for how the Bridging the Gaps program is an excellent program for developing holistic, well-rounded physicians.”
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Millcreek Community Hospital Behavioral Health
Superheroes for Our Mental Health (click to view poster)
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Student Interns:
Samantha Sitarz, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Academic Preceptor:
Christopher Keller, PhD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Community Preceptor:
Danielle Lesik, MA, LPC, MT-BH, Millcreek Community Hospital Behavioral Health
Community Site:
Millcreek Community Hospital is a small community hospital in Millcreek, Pennsylvania. Millcreek Community Hospital provides inpatient behavioral healthcare for children, adults, and the geriatric population. Millcreek opened its doors to inpatient psychiatric care more than 20 years ago in the face of an increased demand for such services. Patients work with teams of psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, social workers, and behavioral health technicians to manage their illnesses through medication, individual and group therapy, and/or placement in long-term care facilities.
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Project:
The Bridging the Gaps student intern developed group therapy activities based on well-researched mental health coping skills and self-care strategies to fit the superhero theme of the week of July 3rd through July 7th. On Monday, young patients decorated superhero capes on which they wrote about people or things they were grateful for. On Tuesday, the patients completed music therapy by drawing to a superhero soundtrack, and they designed their own superhero masks. On Wednesday, the group therapists held a superhero costume contest where the patients could design their own superhero and costume. On Thursday, patients made their own toothpaste and used plaque-disclosing tablets to see how well they had brushed their teeth. The intern created and ran an oral health-themed Family Feud game with the patients, who learned to be superheroes for their oral health! On Friday, the intern and group therapists held a fun day for the kids that included a superhero-themed bingo game and a cookie-shield decorating activity.
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Intern Reflections:
Samantha Sitarz: “My internship at Millcreek Community Hospital Behavioral Health has helped me to understand the importance of patients having access to care for their mental health. I did not have much exposure to this field of medicine previously, but it impacts patients seen in every specialty. The way in which we deal with life experiences has a huge impact on our mental health, and it is especially important for children who still have so much development to do. A child’s early life experiences are going to remain with them their entire lives, and without access to mental health care, children may not ever be able to heal and effectively manage their mental health conditions. In the future, I want to be a physician that is not afraid to discuss mental health issues with patients, regardless of the specialty I end up in. Having access to care for one’s mental health drastically improves a patient’s quality of life but also the relationship with other parts of their overall health.”
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The Regency at South Shore
Senior Olympics: Exercising Mind and Body (click to view poster)
Student Intern:
Kristin Keenan, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Academic Preceptor:
Jack Lee, PhD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Community Preceptor:
Jennifer Musone, PCHA, The Regency at South Shore
Community Site:
The Regency at South Shore is a full-service senior community situated along the beautiful tree-lined streets of the former Strong Estate in Erie. The Regency offers independent living and personal care options for residents. Amenities include meal services, van transportation, home maintenance, housekeeping, and a long list of daily activities.
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Project:
The Bridging the Gaps student intern developed projects to engage the mental and physical well-being of the residents at the Regency. The projects included a Senior Olympics, a therapy bunny visit from the local rabbit rescue, an oral health presentation, Busy Bee activity packets, and a weekly walking club. The Senior Olympics was a large undertaking, resulting in two days of competitive but adaptive sports for the residents, complete with a celebration at the conclusion. These projects encouraged positive interactions among the residents, physical activity, and mental stimulation.
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Intern Reflections:
Kristin Keenan: “I genuinely believe that anyone going into healthcare should go through an experience like Bridging the Gaps. The intricacies of the health of seniors are like nothing else I have seen before, and being able to understand how their needs differ is a skill that needs to be developed through experience. I am so grateful to have gotten to learn the beginnings of this skill through my time here. I was surprised to see the varying levels of mental acuity and physical ability; this made it very important to get to know everyone as individuals, especially when designing my project. Building relationships with the residents was so special, and I can’t wait to continue building relationships with my future senior patients using the skills I have learned here.”
Voices for Independence
Listen to the Voices: Advocating for Independent Living in People with Disabilities (click to view poster)
Student Intern:
Swetha Vemuri, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Academic Preceptor:
Randy Kulesza, PhD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Community Preceptor:
Michele Maughn, BSN, DON, Voices for Independence
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Community Site:
Voices for Independence is a nonprofit organization that helps people with any level of disability live as independently as possible by connecting them with tailored resources. The organization serves people with disabilities throughout 27 counties in western Pennsylvania and helps improve their independence, dignity, control, and quality of life. VFI also advocates for the disability community by supporting their ability to have the same opportunities to pursue their own destinies and freedom as able-bodied people.
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Project:
The Bridging the Gaps student intern used feedback from the consumers and staff at Voices for Independence to design three events: a cooking class, a sunflower planting event, and a painting event. The intern also created a dental brochure to educate consumers about oral and dental hygiene. The cooking class was focused on making a more well-rounded meal with fewer carbs and more fruits and vegetables. The student intern worked with consumers to make Mediterranean chicken, roasted broccoli and carrots, strawberry-walnut salad, and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. For the sunflower event, there were a variety of sunflower seeds, dirt, and mini terracotta pots for consumers to paint. Consumers made one pot to leave at VFI and another to take with them. For the painting event, the intern and VFI staff had canvases, paints, buttons, hot glue, gems, tissue paper, and other decorations for consumers to create a piece on the theme “what does VFI mean to you?” and some consumers allowed their pieces to be displayed on the windows.
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Intern Reflections:
Swetha Vemuri: “In working with the disability community, I have gained experience in not only working with the spectrum of patients that I will come across in the disability population, but I also have developed a deep sense of respect for these patients. I have developed the tools and skills to be more comfortable communicating with these patients and feel an even stronger desire to advocate for their ability to live more independent lives. I strongly believe that with the right guidance, support, and adjustments, these patients can find a balance in living in their own homes while also adapting with their disabilities.”