HIAS

 

HIAS PA 2021 Cultural Orientation (click to view Poster)

 

Student Interns:

Maxine Koza, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice 

Linda Saikali, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Academic Preceptors:

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

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

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

 

Community Preceptors:

Amy Eckendorf, MSW, Immigrant Wellness Program Manager, HIAS Pennsylvania 

Jennifer LaMotte, MSW, Refugee Resettlement Program Manager, HIAS Pennsylvania

 

Community Site:

HIAS Pennsylvania provides legal, resettlement, citizenship and supportive services to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers from all backgrounds who are resettling in Pennsylvania, to ensure their fair treatment and full integration into American society. HIAS Pennsylvania advocates for just and inclusive practices and embraces values based on the core Jewish beliefs of “welcoming the stranger,” generosity, charity and fairness.
https://hiaspa.org/

 

Project:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked across different offices within HIAS PA where they supported the organization through three projects. First, the interns compiled smoking cessation resources that will be included within existing health orientation slideshows for all clients and created a stand-alone slideshow to be used one-on-one with clients interested in pursuing treatment for tobacco use disorder. Second, the interns assisted in the creation of comprehensive health guides regarding HIV, birth control and vaccines, which will be used in the fall for new arrivals. Third, the interns conducted outreach to various pharmacies in the Philadelphia area to identify locations that can be used as vaccine referral sites for clients. In addition to the three projects, the interns accompanied HIAS clients to medical or social security appointments.

 

Intern Statements:

Maxine Koza: “Working with HIAS PA through the Bridging the Gaps program has given me the opportunity to expand my knowledge on immigrant and refugee issues going on in my community of Philadelphia. It has also given me a firsthand look at the extraordinary experience of refugees coming into the United States. I will take the experience of this summer with me in the work I do later in life, especially when working with vulnerable populations. Additionally, working on a multidisciplinary team both with Bridging the Gaps and HIAS PA has helped me grow into a more holistic critical thinker.”

 

Linda Saikali: “My time at HIAS PA has granted me valuable insight into the medical, social and legal needs of refugee and asylee populations in Pennsylvania. As a medical student interested in incorporating refugee and immigrant health into my future career, I appreciated the opportunity to expand my understanding of the complex systems that affect these groups.”

 

 

HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy

 

A Summer of Learning the Ability in Disability at HMS (click to view Poster)

 

Student Interns:

Gabriella Ciancimino, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

Lizzie McDonald, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice 

Pratyusha Mutyala, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

 

Academic Preceptors:

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

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

 

Community Preceptor:

Laura Boyd, MSW, LSW, Social Worker, HMS School

 

Community Site:

HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy is in the University City neighborhood of West Philadelphia. The school serves students aged 6 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

 

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

 

Intern Statements:

Gabriella Ciancimino: “My summer at HMS only reaffirmed my desires to serve this patient population in my future dental career. There’s no greater joy than finding your niche and discovering opportunities to grow and learn in environments that drive those passions; HMS did just that for me. The staff were extraordinary role models in displaying what it takes to effectively care for students with cerebral palsy, and the students taught me more about patience, communication and cultural humility than I could have ever imagined. I am so grateful I got to share in the students’ successes and happiness as they persevered towards their goals this summer. In an effort to become the best versions of themselves, I grew closer in becoming the best version of myself. This experience has given me momentum going into my second year of dental school, as my passions were fueled to be the future dentist and friend they all deserve.”

 

Lizzie McDonald: “I feel so lucky to have been placed at HMS School and to have been welcomed into the community by the staff and students. HMS is a joyful place where every student is seen as an individual with needs, desires and potential. I enjoyed watching how the staff individualized the learning experience to each child to ensure their needs were being met, and I learned so much from both the staff and students on how to communicate with the students and guarantee they have an enriching learning experience at school. Working at HMS was not only a great professional experience, but it provided me amazing life experience and insight into how to work with this community. I’m leaving the internship excited to continue advocating for people with cerebral palsy and hopeful that I can stay involved at the school.”

 

Pratyusha Mutyala: “The HMS School is an extraordinary place for children with special needs. The way the school is dedicated to honing each child’s strengths and uniqueness to educate and empower is truly commendable. From speech, occupational and physical therapies to various enrichment activities, the students at HMS have a holistic and nurturing school experience. All of the teachers, therapists, nurses, social workers and families at HMS have a heart of gold. I’ve learned so much from each and every one of them. During my time at HMS, I’ve grown in how I perceive individuals with disabilities. I now see the potential they have to accomplish amazing things out in the world. Each child at HMS has an

awe-inspiring story and special journey. I hope to continue on this journey with them as an advocate and friend and carry all that I’ve learned through my future career and beyond.”

 

 

Impact Services

 

Healthy Living Initiative at Hancock Manor  (click to view Poster)

 

Student Interns:

Veronica Fisher, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice 

Ella Poole, 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:

Marketta Kelly, MSS, LSW, Veteran Services, 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/

 

Project:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns helped Impact Services begin implementing their Healthy Living Initiative at their Hancock Manor housing facility. The interns developed and distributed a survey for residents to share their perspectives on tobacco use and the building’s new tobacco-free policy. They assisted  Impact staff with hosting a listening session to hear the residents’ health concerns for the building, and based on a request for more social activities, restarted a morning “coffee club” event to foster community. The interns also helped organize a health fair that brought in a variety of community partners. At the health fair, the interns provided education about oral health and getting connected with a local dentist and handed out oral health supplies provided through the BTG program.

 

Intern Statements: 

Veronica Fisher: “The Bridging the Gaps program provided me with the opportunity to engage with and serve a population that is frequently forgotten and was particularly impacted during the  COVID-19 pandemic. Creating opportunities for larger site goals to be accomplished, interacting with residents and recognizing the devastation of the pandemic were all experiences in which I am grateful to have taken part. Throughout the program, I was continually amazed at the resiliency of the human spirit to endure and find joy amidst overwhelming circumstances and disparities. I will take the lessons learned from this past summer with me for the rest of my professional and personal life.”

 

Ella Poole: “During my time with Impact Services, I had the opportunity to hear directly from veterans and those who work closely with them about what health concerns are most important to them. I learned a lot about the relationships between substance use disorders, other mental health disorders, traumatic experiences and social isolation. I also appreciated the opportunity to work in conjunction with a clinical social work student, who shared many insights about meeting  clients where they’re at and addressing mental health issues. I will incorporate what I learned into my future practice by approaching my patients with a nonjudgmental and empowering posture and letting them set the priorities for what we address first as we work towards their health and wellness.”

 

 

John C. Anderson Apartments

 

Assessing LGBTQ+ Senior Community Needs (click to view Poster)

 

Student Intern: 

Saryu Sanghani, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

 

Academic Preceptor: 

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

 

Community Preceptor: 

Ed Miller, Senior Programs Manager, William Way LGBT Community Center

 

Community Site: 

The John C. Anderson Apartments are part of an urban LGBTQ+-friendly senior apartment community located in the heart of Center City Philadelphia. JCAA is very near the William Way LGBT Community Center, which serves the LGBTQ+ community of Philadelphia. The two groups work closely to provide various programs, events and community engagement opportunities to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for the seniors living at JCAA.

 

Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns conducted an annual survey designed to assess the needs of the LGBTQ+ senior community at JCAA and gather feedback on existing programming. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of JCAA’s programming was either paused or conducted virtually. As JCAA resumes in-person activities over the coming months, it is important to have gathered feedback through this year’s survey on the levels of interest in various programs, existing barriers, and access to resources, given the difficulties and massive interruption of normalcy in the past year and a half. The interns organized the survey results into graphics that will help guide William Way and JCAA in future programming and engagement opportunities.

 

Intern Statement:

Saryu Sanghani: “As a future health professional, I was impacted deeply by working with JCAA. It placed me at the unique intersection of two marginalized communities — LGBTQ+ members and older adults. Being able to join in on different weekly programs and discussions provided me with nuanced insight on the perspectives of LGBTQ+ seniors and the experiences they have lived through. I interacted with elders who participated in marches for gay rights activism throughout the early decades of LGBTQ+ rights movements. I learned about the painful experiences of living through the HIV/AIDS crisis, and I learned about the evolution of what we know today as Pride parades. It made me reflect on the shared threads of social justice movements that cross generational barriers when considering the sociocultural and political climates of the present day. Simultaneously, my exposure to the diverse experiences reinforced that to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community is not at all a monolith. Despite the limitations of a virtual internship, the opportunities offered by this site truly allowed me to feel immersed in and inspired by the LGBTQ+ community.”

 

 

MANNA

 

The Impact of Nutrition in 2021: Food as Medicine (click to view Poster)

 

Student Interns:

Daniel Huynh, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing 

Ruby Lu, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

Monika Patel, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

 

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 

 

Community Preceptors:

Adrian Glass Crafford, MPH, MANNA

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

 

Community Site:

MANNA is a leader in the food-as-medicine movement for patients with serious illnesses and nutritional risk in the Philadelphia and New Jersey area. MANNA produces and delivers medically tailored meals to patients who are undergoing cancer treatment and kidney dialysis or living with heart failure, HIV/AIDS and/or uncontrolled diabetes as part of their medical treatment until they are nutritionally stable. To further assist and provide support, registered dietitians counsel patients on therapeutic dietary needs and provide nutrition education with the goal that patients will be able to prepare meals that meet their medical needs after they complete MANNA’s program.
https://mannapa.org/

 

Project:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked on a variety of projects at MANNA. One intern helped create MANNA’s annual client survey, which provides valuable feedback on meals, health outcomes, nutrition education and the delivery process. With the goal of increasing survey response rate and aware of the relatively low digital literacy and older age of MANNA’s primary clients, the intern recommended switching from a solely digital survey to both digital and paper versions. She also revamped the design of the paper survey to improve the overall client experience.

 

Another intern created a quality-of-life survey for patients receiving MANNA’s program through insurance providers. This short survey will be posted on the MANNA website to help make it more accessible for patients to provide feedback on the medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling services provided by MANNA. The intern researched quality-of-life measures and different modes of survey evaluation in the process of creating the survey and met with MANNA’s dieticians to learn more about the nutrition counseling process.

 

The third intern helped analyze previous client data, focusing on what demographics were not being reached. The intern looked to see what diseases were specific to these underserved communities and helped outline ways MANNA could reach those populations. As an extension of the outline, the intern also compiled a list of other community organizations that work directly with these hard-to-reach communities so that MANNA can collaborate with these sites in the future. The goal of the project was to make MANNA more culturally inclusive and accessible to those in need.

 

Intern Statements:

Daniel Huynh: “As a nursing student, social determinants of health have always been an emphasis within the curriculum; however, Bridging the Gaps has allowed me to further explore these determinants and apply them in a real-life setting. Working at MANNA this summer allowed me to combine my love for food and nutrition while gaining a deeper understanding of the Philadelphia community. I believe that nutrition is a critical part to preventative medicine, and each meal is a step towards better health. I’m glad to have had the opportunity to work with an organization like MANNA that aligns with my views.”

 

Ruby Lu: “As a first-year dental student, even though most of our time is spent studying dense science courses, Penn Dental also puts an emphasis on making sure we are aware of the needs of the local Philadelphia community. I decided to be part of BTG because of the opportunity it offers to directly serve the local community. Despite the internship being mostly virtual, my experience with BTG in the last few weeks has been nothing but eye-opening and fulfilling. Every piece of the program, including the weekly seminars and working with MANNA directly, provided me a deeper understanding of the community and myself. Another meaningful experience I got out of the internship is the opportunity to develop interprofessional relationships between different healthcare providers. Being able to gain an understanding of every healthcare provider’s perspective and see how each plays a role in serving the community has benefited me in the long run. Finally, as a firm believer that food is medicine, it truly has been a privilege to be able to be part of MANNA this summer!”

 

Monika Patel: “Throughout my life, I have consistently felt the importance of becoming heavily involved with my community. During my first year in dental school, I longed for an opportunity to allow my learning to go beyond the walls of the classroom, and I wanted to expand my knowledge on health and human interaction. Working with MANNA through BTG provided me with everything that I could have asked for in the summer. I really enjoyed learning more about my community and having the opportunity to focus on nutritional needs in disease processes. I frequently think about how having access to a wide variety of sources of nutrition is a luxury. Chronic and serious illnesses pose so many challenges as it is, I love that MANNA works towards helping tackle the hurdle that further perpetuates the challenge of nutritional intake.”

 

 

No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit Inc.

 

I Am Enough: A Campaign to Empower Marginalized Women of Philadelphia Experiencing Period Poverty (click to view Poster)

 

Student Interns:

Minjung (Julia) Kim, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine 

Elena Montag, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine 

Kaitlin Murphy, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine

 

Academic Preceptors:

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

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

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

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

 

Community Preceptors:

Nya McGlone, MS, No More Secrets MBS Inc.

Lynette Medley, MEd, No More Secrets MBS Inc. 

 

Community Site:

With a mission to decrease stigmas, 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 menstruators. The organization aims to empower and decrease risk in vulnerable populations, promote honest discussions about periods, and provide education and solutions for people experiencing period poverty.
https://www.nomoresecretsmbs.org

 

Project:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns designed and implemented a multifocal, contact-based literacy campaign to promote female empowerment and combat stigma surrounding menstrual health and period poverty. They created educational and self-advocacy resources, including an interactive patient self-advocacy booklet to guide doctor’s visits. They engaged with the community through multiple mediums with the goal of reaching a wider audience. This included curating social media content and culminated in a Community Day featuring menstrual product distribution and an empowerment-focused communal art project. Team members anticipate a lasting impact, particularly through work involving data collection and analysis.

 

Intern Statements:

Minjung (Julia) Kim: “In the past year as a dental student, we’ve been taught to see our patients as a construction consisting of their many parts — osteological, muscular, vascular and so on. This past summer as a Bridging the Gaps intern at No More Secrets, I’ve been taught to see people through the lens of dignity and integrity. When I see a patient in front of me, I want to be an advocate for their needs, physiological and beyond, and see them through the lens of compassion and respect. This summer also deeply impacted my perspective of the community of Philadelphia. Learning more about the systemic injustices that plague Philadelphians, especially those living in poverty, I feel a greater desire to connect with and empower those in this community.”

 

Elena Montag: “Though I have always been passionate about women’s health issues and addressing healthcare disparities and discrimination, this summer has deepened my awareness of these problems and equipped me with more tools to combat them in my career. Learning from No More Secrets and its community about the stigmatization and dismissal of menstruation and period poverty has illuminated just one of the many obstacles that many women of color and women in poverty experience. Through working with Lynette and Nya, NMS’s amazing founders, I have seen the incredible strength, love, dignity and respect that NMS projects and provides to those who need and deserve it most. I hope to keep educating and improving myself and openly listening to the needs of the community so that I can follow their remarkable examples.”

 

Kaitlin Murphy: “This summer was full of encounters that challenged and informed my worldview, and, because of this, I began to question myself more. There will always be moments when I say or do the wrong thing. I’m human. By recognizing that my initial thoughts and responses are not always a reflection of my values, I was able to separate myself from my expectations and examine them more objectively. Instead of feeling the need to defend my fundamental goodness, I’m able to focus on what really matters: being better.”

 

 

Philadelphia Family Pride

​

Creating Community With Zoom: Paths to Parenthood Classes With Philadelphia Family Pride (click to view Poster)

 

Student Intern:
Sara Banbury, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Academic Preceptors:
Hillary Bogner, MD, MSCE, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

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

 

Community Preceptor:
Stephanie Haynes, Philadelphia Family Pride

 

Community Site:
Philadelphia Family Pride (PFP) is a community organization for LGBTQ+ parents, prospective parents, grandparents and their children or grandchildren of all ages, including adults and infants. PFP supports families in the greater Philadelphia region through advocacy, education and inclusive family-centered events.

philadelphiafamilypride.org

 

Project:
The Bridging the Gaps student intern’s primary project was to organize and run the Paths to  Parenthood summer seminar series, PFP’s annual classes on how to expand one’s LGBTQ+-led family. The project involved reaching out to local content experts as well as recruiting a diverse set of LGBTQ+ parents who could speak to the many paths to family building. The student intern also collaborated with PFP’s conference planning team to begin organizing an in-person conference in the fall. Lastly, the student intern helped PFP update its member database.

 

Intern Statement:
Sara Banbury: “Working at Philadelphia Family Pride was an amazing opportunity to develop a diverse skill set in an extremely welcoming and supportive environment. Even working remotely, I felt like I got to know the organization very well. Additionally, because it was a small organization, I felt like my work was truly helpful to them. I learned a lot about putting on and marketing events as well as how to develop relationships with community members.”

 

 

Prevention Point Philadelphia

 

Harm Reduction in Kensington (click to view Poster)

 

Student Interns:

Lydia Lutz, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine 

Amanda Perez, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

 

Academic Preceptors:

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

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

 

Community Preceptors:

M. Holliday-Davis, STEP Coordinator, Prevention Point Philadelphia

Maggie Lowenstein, MD, MPhil, MSHP, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

Kaelee Shepherd, MPH, STEP Coordinator, Prevention Point Philadelphia 

 

Community Site:

Prevention Point Philadelphia is a comprehensive social services agency dedicated to harm reduction and accessible healthcare for communities affected by drug use and poverty. Since its origin 30 years ago as an underground syringe exchange program, Prevention Point has expanded its services to include overdose prevention, wound care, medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, Narcan training and distribution, meal services, and case management related to housing, healthcare and other intersecting issues affecting the community. Prevention Point works toward equity, justice and unconditional support for individuals and communities impacted by risk behaviors.
https://ppponline.org/

 

Project:

The Bridging the Gaps student interns assisted in a variety of harm reduction projects at Prevention Point Philadelphia, including overdose prevention outreach, syringe exchange and the medication-assisted treatment (MAT) mobile site. The interns distributed Narcan to participants in Kensington and Frankford and trained individuals on how to administer Narcan. They assisted in passing out syringes and supplies during the syringe exchange, so individuals in the community would be able to inject drugs safely. They also created a flyer to educate individuals about the COVID-19 vaccine.

 

Intern Statements: 

Lydia Lutz: “I’ve been passionate about urban underserved care, street medicine for people experiencing homelessness and social justice approaches to health for many years. Harm reduction is an emerging interest of mine, and it has been an immense privilege to learn from an organization that is deeply committed to empowering and protecting their community. I would argue that Prevention Point Philadelphia is the single best place in the country to learn about harm reduction. Working with Prevention Point this summer has continued to kindle my passion for service-based medicine, and I look forward to incorporating harm reduction into my future career.” 

 

Amanda Perez: “Harm reduction has been a passion of mine since before medical school and working at Prevention Point this summer reminded me why it is important that individuals with substance use disorders have access to good harm reduction resources in their community. This experience has inspired me to continue to do work in advocating for quality healthcare for my future patients with substance use disorders and to advocate for policy changes that can positively impact the lives of those affected by this disease. My BTG internship further solidified my desire to pursue addiction medicine in the future.” 

 

 

Public Citizens for Children and Youth

 

The Fight to End Childhood Lead Poisoning (click to view Poster)

 

Student Interns: 

Shaheen Jaisingh, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

Anahita Sabet-Payman, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

 

Academic Preceptor: 

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

 

Community Preceptor: 

Beth Dougherty, Health Projects Coordinator, Public Citizens for Children and Youth

 

Community Site:

Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) is a child advocacy organization based in Southeastern Pennsylvania. PCCY works to improve the lives of our region’s children by developing initiatives and advocating for quality healthcare, childcare, public education and family stability.
www.pccy.org

 

Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns joined the Delaware County Lead Poisoning Prevention Coalition at PCCY this summer. The Coalition strives to protect children from the detrimental effects of lead poisoning. The Coalition has two main goals: to get lead out of homes and to ensure that all children are screened for lead poisoning twice before the age of 2. Over the summer, the interns researched the approaches that health departments bordering Delaware County employ in tackling lead poisoning and prevention to make recommendations to the new Delaware County Health Department. They researched strategies used by pediatric/family medicine practices to encourage lead testing and strategies health insurance plans use to support providers to do more testing; analyzed the location of the HUD Lead Hazard Reduction grants in Pennsylvania to determine how Delaware County can distribute the grants to landlords and homeowners; created a spreadsheet of doulas, ob-gyns, pediatric practices and family medicine practices in Delaware Country and contacted them to offer lead poison prevention training from PCCY; found organizations and events in Delaware County and Philadelphia as potential outreach opportunities to promote awareness about lead poisoning and PCCY’s Insurance Helpline; outlined Korfmacher’s book, “Bridging Silos,” to determine how the Rochester, New York, coalition combated the lead poisoning epidemic; and met with local legislators and community leaders at events such as lead coalition panel discussions.

 

Intern Statements: 

Shaheen Jaisingh: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience working for PCCY through Bridging the Gaps this summer. I have gained a deeper insight into the public health issue of childhood lead poisoning and its long-lasting impact on many aspects in communities. Additionally, I now have a better understanding of how nonprofit organizations are run and how they conduct advocacy work. I am grateful that I was able to learn a lot this summer and believe that this awareness will be beneficial to me as a future healthcare provider.”

 

Anahita Sabet-Payman: “I am very thankful for my time at PCCY this past summer. I never thought I would even have had the opportunity to make an impact in the community outside of my specific discipline, so I am grateful for this experience of working with a diverse group of people towards a common goal. It showed me that despite unique backgrounds and areas of expertise, we as a society are able to come together as one and make a difference.”

 

 

Puentes de Salud

 

Puentes de Salud (click to view Poster)

 

Student Intern: 

Ivan Covarrubias, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine 

 

Academic Preceptor:

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

 

Community Preceptor:

Leah Reisman, PhD, Puentes de Salud 

 

Community Site: 

Puentes de Salud is an organization that works to promote wellness in the South Philadelphia Latinx community. Puentes de Salud addresses education, health and social service needs as well as the unique barriers faced by immigrant populations by partnering with community members and providing affordable medical, dental, wellness and education services.
https://puentesdesalud.org/

 

Project:

The Bridging the Gaps student intern’s project was to create a report comparing the food insecurity of Puentes clients between the first and second phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. The intern assisted in conducting interviews over the phone with clients of the food distribution program to assess their changing conditions. The intern also worked on site at the Puentes de Salud food pharmacy to recruit new food-insecure clients to the food distribution program. 

 

Intern Statement: 

Ivan Covarrubias: “Participating in BTG CHIP was an enriching experience. Over the last seven weeks I learned about the diverse lives and experiences of South Philadelphia community members. I learned about how food insecurity affects multiple dimensions of health, and the experience inspired me to approach medicine more holistically. I learned how to be more proactively diligent when serving disadvantaged populations who have very limited resources to turn to. Working with Puentes de Salud reaffirmed my desire to work with immigrant populations in my future career.”