Mazzoni Center

​

Understanding PrEP Administration and Adherence at Mazzoni Center Washington West (click to view poster)

​

Student Interns: 

Scott Orlov, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Blake Weil, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

 

Academic Preceptor: 

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

 

Community Preceptors: 

Andrew Gudzelak, Mazzoni Center

Dustin Latimer, PA-C, Mazzoni Center

Devon Taylor, Director of Practice Management, Mazzoni Center

 

Community Site:

Mazzoni Center is one of the oldest and largest community health centers serving the LGBTQ+ community of Philadelphia. The main site (located on Bainbridge Street) is made up of a health center that provides primary care services and a behavioral health center that provides mental health services. Mazzoni’s Washington West office (located on Locust Street) provides easily accessible STI testing and PrEP appointments.

 

Project:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns collected and analyzed data to determine patient follow-up rates for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) appointments at Mazzoni Center’s Washington West (WW) location. Finding lower follow-up rates compared to the main health center, the students worked with community preceptors to develop health literacy guides for distribution to patients who are prescribed PrEP at WW. The patient guides are meant to provide evidence-based information regarding safe and effective use of oral PrEP. The interns also created a post-appointment survey that could be given to patients to evaluate their understanding of the PrEP dosing protocol and discover any knowledge gaps.

 

Intern Reflections: 

Scott Orlov and Blake Weil: “Interning at Mazzoni Center through Bridging the Gaps was an invaluable experience that has broadened our understanding of community-based medicine. Upon starting the program, it wasn’t hard to notice that the patients felt comfortable becoming vulnerable while seeking healthcare. What distinguishes Mazzoni Center from other practices is that they strive to create an inclusive environment for their patient population not only by creating a culturally humble team of employees, but also through the policies and practices they have put in place. Of the many lessons we will take away from this experience, perhaps the most important is that trust is essential to an effective patient-provider relationship. We look forward to applying what we’ve learned from this internship as we continue our development into compassionate and thoughtful physicians.”

 

 

Nationalities Service Center

​

The Complexities of Medical Case Management for Immigrants and Refugees (click to view poster)

​

Student Interns:

Eleanor Cheung, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Julia Katcher, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Catherine Lalman, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

 

Academic Preceptor:

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

 

Community Preceptors:

Lexy Chavez, Refugee Health Specialist, Nationalities Service Center

Kara Friesen, Innovative Support Program for Immigrant and Refugee Empowerment (INSPIRE) Manager, Nationalities Service Center

Christina Kubica, MSW, LSW, Manager of Specialized Health Services, Nationalities Service Center

 

Community Site:

Nationalities Service Center (NSC) supports and connects refugees to community resources. Its multidisciplinary staff offers services such as legal protection, language access, health and wellness, and employment. NSC begins assisting refugee clients as soon as they arrive, helping them to navigate the initial resettlement process — securing housing, attending health screenings, and completing applications for identification. NCS also contributes to the many multiethnic enclaves in Philadelphia by holding various community activities. These events help refugees form new relationships, and NSC provides a variety of educational and material resources at them.

 

Project:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns were placed in two sections of NSC: Refugee Health Access and the Innovative Support Program for Immigrant and Refugee Empowerment (INSPIRE). The interns acted as case manager supports by connecting clients, primarily refugees, to medical and dental resources while providing access to interpretation services. The intern working with Refugee Health Access compiled a list of common questions patients might ask at the dentist and had them translated into Pashto and Dari so they could be distributed among the site’s Afghan client population. This intern also reformatted translated health orientation waivers. The interns working with INSPIRE updated and reworked the community resource guide for clients graduating from INSPIRE in the hopes that it would help connect them to further resources, such as legal services, utilities assistance, and medical assistance, in the future. These interns also worked to update Ukrainian and Afghan disability primers to support providers treating refugee patients with disabilities.

 

Intern Reflections:

Eleanor Cheung: “I had the privilege of working with the Innovative Support Program for Immigrant and Refugee Empowerment (INSPIRE) at the Nationalities Service Center this past summer. I was able to work closely with refugee families enrolled in the program and am left with a sense of awe at their resilience and ability to adapt while facing challenges in almost all facets of life. The individuals served by INSPIRE often have little to no English proficiency, are fleeing traumatic experiences, and are trying to manage complex medical conditions while navigating an entirely new healthcare system. Whiledisheartening to realize how many barriers face these communities, I have come away better equipped to ensure future patient interactions are more accessible, in both language and cultural practices, as well as centered on trauma-informed care.”

 

Julia Katcher: “My time at NSC not only provided me experience with a new patient population, but also allowed me to think more deeply about what makes a compassionate provider and patient advocate. Interacting with refugee clients on a daily basis has underscored the importance of treating the whole patient, not just their physiologic symptoms. It was also a pleasure to be a part of the coordinated teamwork at NSC, as the many branches work together with the same clients on multiple aspects of their lives. Everyone I encountered at NSC was deeply committed to serving refugee and immigrant populations, and it was incredibly special to come to a workplace each day with people that share a common goal.”

 

Catherine Lalman: “During my internship this summer, I worked mainly with the refugee health department, which focuses on connecting recent refugee immigrants to health resources. To that end, I helped to complete a variety of paperwork, including lab requests and health insurance enrollment forms. I also escorted clients to their various health appointments around the city. Coordinating meetings with the clients was difficult at times; I had wished on more than one occasion that I had been able to better communicate with them. Nevertheless, interacting with clients was definitely one of the best parts of my internship — everyone was patient and incredibly friendly. As well, I was also introduced to the concept of culturally sensitive communication. During my storytelling project, where I wrote about the journey of a former refugee family, I was able to further learn about how to tell a story honestly but not sensationally.”

​

 

Philadelphia FIGHT: Youth Health Empowerment Program

​

A Comprehensive Care Approach: Gender-Affirming Care, Adult Care Transitions, and Career Development for LGBTQ+ Youth (click to view poster)

​

Student Interns:
Sam Pancoe, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Owen Parra, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

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:

Rebecca Keuch, MSN, CRNP, Philadelphia FIGHT Youth Health Empowerment Project (YHEP)

 

Community Site:

Philadelphia FIGHT Pediatric and Adolescent Health Center, located in Center City Philadelphia, provides high-quality, comprehensive primary care to address the physical and emotional health needs of children and youth up to the age of 27. 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.

 

Project:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns at Philadelphia FIGHT’s Youth Health Empowerment Project (YHEP) focused on three projects this summer, based on a patient needs survey they administered during their first week. They updated the clinic’s gender-affirming care guide by creating a referral network of other providers doing gender-affirming care; researching resources for social transition such as free clothing, name change resources, and hair removal resources; and creating connections between YHEP and other health centers doing gender-affirming care. Because YHEP stops seeing patients at age 27, the interns also worked on a health literacy project about transitioning out of YHEP, including information on what to expect from adult providers, how to find a new provider, and understanding insurance and medications. Finally, the interns worked on improving YHEP’s education and career development resources by creating a resource guide and strengthening relationships with local nonprofits that do direct education and career counseling for young people.

​

Intern Reflections:

Sam Pancoe: “Working at YHEP this summer was so rewarding. It was really impactful to see a health center that really prioritizes the patient experience and works so hard to meet the medical and nonmedical needs of its diverse patient population. Through my time at YHEP, it became clear how central affirming and inclusive medical care is to building strong and trusting relationships, especially with patients whose previous experiences have made them distrustful of medicine. I hope to use the tools I have learned about community, health literacy, affirming care, and the importance of nonmedical support services in my future as a provider.”

 

Owen Parra: “I really gained a lot this summer being with FIGHT and with YHEP. Many clinics I know of talk about comprehensive care, but the care that YHEP provides their patients goes far above and beyond that. In every appointment I witnessed, the providers created such an affirming and supportive environment, and they made a point to address the diverse range of needs each patient had. YHEP clearly holds a very special place in the heart of the LGBTQ+ adolescent community in Philly, one that has been fostered over time by this comprehensive care. It has been amazing to be a part of that, to contribute to the care of this community through personal conversations, building of resources, building of referral networks, and resource distribution. I plan to carry what I gained here into my work as a provider.”

 

 

Prevention point philadelphia​

​

Harm Reduction with the Syringe Services Program at Prevention Point Philadelphia (click to view poster)

​

Student Interns: 

Zane MacFarlane, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

William Nguyen, 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, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Community Preceptor:
Nicole Sage, Director of Prevention Services, Prevention Point Philadelphia

 

Community Site:

Prevention Point Philadelphia provides harm reduction services to Philadelphia and the surrounding area. Now a nonprofit public health organization, Prevention Point was started as a grassroots, underground organization in 1991 by ACT UP Philadelphia (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) and distributed syringes to help reduce the transmission of HIV among people who injected drugs. After lobbying efforts led to the legalization of the possession of syringes by Mayor Ed Rendell’s executive order in 1992, Prevention Point grew into a larger organization that provides many services with a harm reduction approach, including medical care, overdose prevention education, naloxone distribution, and case management, along with housing, meals, and mail services for people facing housing instability.

​

Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked closely with the Syringe Services Program. Activities included creating syringe supply kits and wound care materials for distribution, brainstorming and developing additional strategies for delivering wound care resources, helping other volunteers learn how to participate with SSP, and meeting with participants during exchanges to provide them with materials and services that met their needs. The interns had the opportunity to talk to participants during syringe exchanges, provide them with supplies they requested, and help guide participants to additional services at Prevention Point if wanted. The summer provided an excellent opportunity for the BTG interns to learn and practice harm reduction principles while also engaging with and listening to community members longitudinally.

 

Intern Reflections: 
Zane MacFarlane and William Nguyen: “Over the summer, we had the opportunity to work for the Syringe Services Program at Prevention Point and learn firsthand how harm reduction operates. On a technical level, we learned from the SSP team and directly from participants about their various supply needs as well as the challenging nature of managing xylazine-associated wounds. One of our greatest takeaways was witnessing the incredible compassion and support the staff provides for participants day in and day out through their services and conversations. The harm reduction services and staff at Prevention Point empower participants who often feel stigmatized by society and meet their needs wherever they are. It is a model and therapeutic approach we will be thinking about and hoping to practice as we advance in our medical careers.”

 

 

Visitation Homes

 

Educating Community Members on Cardiovascular Disease and Oral Health (click to view poster)

​

Student Intern:

Benedicta Olonilua, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

 

Academic Preceptor:

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

 

Community Preceptor:

Zakiyyah Harris, Program Director, Visitation Homes

 

Community Site:

Visitation Homes is a trauma-informed permanent supportive housing program located in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Both single mothers and single fathers are eligible for the housing program. The head of household must be 18 or older and there must be children in the household; at least one member of the household must have a disability. Residents are matched to Visitation Homes through the Office of Homelessness Services’ Coordinated Entry System.

​

Project:

The Bridging the Gaps student intern focused on several areas at Visitation Homes. The intern led workshops on cardiovascular and oral health, empowering residents with valuable knowledge and resources that enabled them to take charge of their well-being and make informed decisions about their health. The intern also supervised some of the youth and contributed to the grant-writing process to obtain additional funding. Collaborating with others helped illuminate for the intern the intricacies of resource allocation and the importance of strategic planning and highlighted the potential for expanding the organization’s reach and services.

 

Intern Reflections: 

Benedicta Olonilua: “My summer internship at Visitation Homes was an eye-opening and enriching journey, providing me with invaluable insights into a community that I had no previous exposure to. Working in this supportive housing organization allowed me to step into a world that I had only read about, and it opened my eyes to the challenges and resilience of the residents who call it home. Witnessing the dedication and commitment of the staff to the well-being of the residents has been truly inspiring, and it has deepened my appreciation for the importance of compassionate and empathetic care. The sense of camaraderie and mutual support among the residents was heartwarming, reminding me of the power of human connection in fostering positive change. It was evident that Visitation Homes was not merely a place to live but a home where residents felt safe, valued, and empowered to thrive. Throughout the summer, I had the opportunity to see firsthand the challenges and rewards of working in social services. The complexities of the issues faced by the residents and staff were often daunting, yet the impact made through dedicated support and services was undeniably rewarding. It reinforced my belief in the importance of advocating for equitable opportunities and empowering individuals to overcome adversities in their lives. As I move forward in my academic and professional journey, I will continue to reflect on this experience. It has left a lasting impression on me, shaping how I plan to approach patient care and community advocacy. I am committed to applying the lessons learned from Visitation Homes in my future practice, understanding that every individual’s story is unique and that true healthcare extends beyond physical treatment to encompass support, empathy, and empowerment.”

​

​

Wyss Wellness Center

​

Increasing Health Access Among Immigrant and Refugee Communities (click to view poster)

​

Student Interns:

Madison Smith, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Mary Wilkinson, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

 

Academic Preceptor:

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

 

Community Preceptor:

Jenna Gosnay, MSW, LSW, Wyss Wellness Center

 

Community Site:

The Hansjörg Wyss Wellness Center is a primary care facility located in South Philadelphia. Most of the patients who seek services there are immigrants and refugees. Some do not speak English as a first language and covering the cost of their healthcare is a common barrier. To work toward improving community wellness, Hansjörg Wyss Wellness Center provides clinical and social support services to patients, working closely with SEAMAAC (a community organization) to facilitate community outreach.

​

Project:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns assisted patients with limited English proficiency in scheduling appointments with specialists for follow-up. The interns connected patients to healthcare and social services in the city and created a resource guide with links to Philadelphia organizations for future use. They assisted patients in enrolling for state benefits and connected them to legal services through Wyss Wellness Center’s partnership with Community Legal Services. The interns helped schedule transportation to get patients to their appointments, and they accompanied patients to appointments and the pharmacy. The interns also partnered with SEAMAAC to organize two community outreach events: a dental hygiene class at a local camp in South Philadelphia and a nutrition and cooking class for Chinese and Indonesian elders through Vetri Kitchen.

 

Intern Reflections: 

Madison Smith: “I am so grateful for participating in Bridging the Gaps and getting the opportunity to work with the refugee and immigrant populations that Wyss Wellness Center serves. The most rewarding part of the role was to connect with patients and try to help them navigate the healthcare system in a new country and in a new language, and to understand how challenging it is to communicate through both language and cultural barriers. Being at Wyss has helped me become aware of the ways in which healthcare is inaccessible for many communities and has forced me to think about small steps I can take to address these.”

 

Mary Wilkinson: “Working at Wyss was an incredibly impactful experience, and I am thankful for the seven weeks I spent here. I learned a great deal about barriers to healthcare, specifically barriers that refugee patients experience when navigating our healthcare system, and also learned about services available to help people obtain access to comprehensive care. I was inspired by the team at Wyss and their dedication to all patients, no matter a patient’s ability to pay. It was easy to tell that patients felt comfortable and safe at Wyss and knew that the team would do everything possible to assist them. Working at Wyss has helped me understand barriers to care and think of ways that I can help patients receive equitable healthcare in my future career.”

​

​

Youth Emergency Service (YES)

​

Bridging the Gaps with Philadelphia’s Most Vulnerable Youth (click to view poster)

​

Student Interns:

Brooklyn Gabriel, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Population Health

Noel Tharakan, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

 

Academic Preceptor:

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

 

Community Preceptor:

Tarae Morton, Program Director, Youth Emergency Service

 

Community Site:

Youth Emergency Service (YES), located in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia, provides temporary housing (two to three weeks) for youth aged 12 to 18 who are housing insecure or facing potentially abusive homes. YES provides the youth with meals, activities, trips, social support, and educational programming.

​

Project:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns created weekly interactive workshops for the youth on topics such as cardiovascular health, smoking cessation, and STIs. The youth enjoyed learning about health in a fun way. The interns also organized trips to places such as the Mütter Museum and the Franklin Institute and assisted other staff in presenting fun activities, such as arts and crafts, and in programming on subjects such as financial literacy and life skills.

 

Intern Reflections: 

Brooklyn Gabriel: “I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the youth and staff at YES. Working in this area of public health has allowed me to see firsthand the need for resources and dedicated individuals to help this population. I was glad to get to know the amazing kids this summer and the hardworking employees that help keep this program running. Prior to BTG, I thought that I would not be good at working with adolescents, but this opportunity has led me to want to pursue working in this area.”

 

Noel Tharakan: “I am honored to have been part of the BTG internship that provided me with invaluable hands-on opportunities to work directly with vulnerable populations, which I would not have encountered in medical school. Working at a homeless shelter has exposed me to the immense hardships and health challenges faced by the homeless community, leaving a lasting impact on me. I believe programs like this can be a catalyst for breaking the cycle of homelessness. This empowerment sets the stage for the youth to construct a brighter future. I believe that when we invest in the youth residing in shelters, we are also investing in the potential of tomorrow’s innovators and changemakers. Homeless individuals often battle a multitude of health problems, encompassing physical, mental, and social dimensions. As a future physician, my aspiration is to address not only their immediate physical ailments, but also to recognize and tackle the underlying factors contributing to their current situation — practicing a holistic care approach.”

​