Westmoreland Community Action
Westmoreland County Transportation Guide to Clinics
Student Interns:
Vivian Chien, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill
Kumal Siddiq, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill
Academic Preceptors:
Jennifer Cummings, DO, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill
Mary Haus, MD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill
Community Preceptors:
Carrie Lesniak, Westmoreland Community Action
Natalie Pacy, Westmoreland Community Action
Mitchell Samick, MS, Westmoreland Community Action
Community Site:
Westmoreland Community Action (WCA), formerly known as Westmoreland Human Opportunities, was established in 1980. Its mission is to eliminate poverty by strengthening communities through various services such as housing, crisis intervention, emergency services, financial support, early childhood education, and more. Based in Greensburg, PA, WCA serves all of Westmoreland County, helping thousands of residents annually, including individual adults, families, and children in any way needed.
The housing programs WCA contributes to include young adult services. Participants have access to various programs, including rapid rehousing, transitional housing, and host homes. WCA helps guide participants to the best programs to fit their needs and supports them in all ways until they reach independence.
Team’s Experience:
After a discussion with community preceptors and gaining an understanding the needs of the participants, the Bridging the Gaps student interns focused on increasing transportation accessibility. The interns made a booklet that contains bus routes in Westmoreland County, clinics in the area, and directions to the clinics. They also participated in the monthly food bank day by helping the agency assemble and deliver food boxes. They created an information packet to include with the boxes that contains guidance on safe food storage, recipes, and how to eat health on a budget. In addition, the interns attended a resource fair in New Kensington and provided vision checks for children, blood pressure checks for adults, and numerous handouts on oral hygiene, mental health, and Narcan® use.
Reflections:
Vivian Chien: “Working with Westmoreland Community Action this summer has been an extremely rewarding and humbling experience. Every conversation with the participants revealed the incredible strength and perseverance of these individuals, and I’ve gained a deeper understanding on how the social determinants of health impacts both physical and mental health. When I’m in school, sometimes it feels like being in a bubble that’s disconnected from my community, and I’m super grateful for the opportunity this summer to connect with, learn from, and engage with the local community. The lessons and insights I gained from this summer will continue to inspire me as I work towards being a well-rounded and empathetic physician.”
Kumal Siddiq: “Being part of Westmoreland Community Action has been an impactful and eye-opening experience. It has allowed me to better understand the systemic barriers that many people face when accessing basic needs, such as healthcare, housing, foods, and employment. While I was aware of a connection between poverty and negative mental and physical health outcomes, witnessing the toll it takes on participants' daily lives made addressing this issue feel more urgent and just how important organizations like WCA are in mitigating these disparities within our community. One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was seeing how small efforts, like a budget meeting or offering self-care guidance, could make a big difference along the line. This experience will serve as a reminder to me that lasting change starts with just listening and being compassionate; no matter how small your role may be, it may have a huge impact on attaining equity for someone out there.”
Barclay Place &
Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc.
Growing Independence: The Barclay Greenhouse Project
Student Interns:
Rachael Kopec, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill
Fatima Mubarik, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill
Academic Preceptors:
Jennifer Cummings, DO, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill
Mary Haus, MD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill
Victoria Hrach, PhD, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, LECOM at Seton Hill
Community Preceptors:
Dana Slezak, Program Director, Barclay Place
Matt Tutay, Executive Director, Barclay Place
Community Site:
Barclay Place is a person-centered residential facility that provides 24-hour personal care assistance to individuals with a mental health diagnosis. The primary diagnoses are schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, delusional disorder, and dissociative identity disorder. Residents range in age from 39 to 79. The facility promotes the health, independence, and socialization of its residents through numerous structured activities such as cooking classes, attending movies, getting out into nature, and going out for lunch/dinner.
Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. (WEDAC) helps individuals with substance use disorders find treatment facilities that best suit their needs. Clients are supported in establishing a lifelong recovery plan through personalized services, access to appropriate care, and community help. WEDAC provides case management services to connect individuals with prevention education, detox services, and inpatient and outpatient programs.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns focused on enhancing the independence of the Barclay Place residents. Cooking and laundry are the two activities the residents do not do themselves; therefore, to encourage responsibility, decision making, independence, and healthy eating, the Bridging the Gaps student interns designed and established a greenhouse on-site. The interns delivered a workshop on healthy eating habits and proper plant care and developed a greenhouse care guide for the staff to use throughout the seasons. The interns also provided WEDAC with a garden care guide to share with interested clients who need a place to start.
Reflections:
Rachael Kopec: “I had an incredible experience working alongside the staff at Barclay Place. I have never met a group of people who truly care and are passionate about what they do and for the individuals they provide for. It was also a privilege for the residents to allow us inside their home and collaborate with them on our project. I really got to know some of the residents and their stories, which allowed me to further understand and want to advocate for individuals who struggle with mental health. Throughout the past eight weeks, the importance of listening and patience has really stuck with me. Sometimes, the only thing a client or patient might want from a provider is for someone to just listen. Lessons as such are only learned or emphasized in the field, which I hope to carry with me throughout the rest of my career.”
Fatima Mubarik: “Working at Barclay Place this summer was incredibly rewarding and an experience I will truly never forget. From day one, the residents welcomed me with kindness, and I had the opportunity to connect with many of them on a personal level. Through these conversations, I got to hear their unique stories, which allowed me to better understand the challenges they face and gave me a new perspective on mental health. I was also really inspired by the dedication of the staff as they were patient, understanding and always committed to the residents. During my weeks here, I learned that sometimes the best thing you can do is simply take time to listen, show up, and to treat people with respect and dignity. This experience has further strengthened my decision to pursue a career in healthcare, and I will carry these lessons with me for the rest of my career.”