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African Family Health Organization (AFAHO)

 

Making a Difference in Health Education Through Breast, Heart, and Oral Health Workshops (click to view poster)

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Student Interns: 

Eveé Blake, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

Sarah Louineus, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice

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Academic Preceptors: 

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

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

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

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Community Preceptor:

Dianne Uwayo, MPH, African Family Health Organization (AFAHO)

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Community Site: 
AFAHO provides health, human, and educational services and programs to the African and Caribbean immigrant and refugee communities in the greater Philadelphia area. These services include a variety of health education, case management, and psychosocial wellness programs that are available to the community regardless of age, nationality, language ability, or legal status.

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Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns supported AFAHO's health team by creating a breast cancer workshop, doing various community survey management activities, facilitating an oral health workshop for youth, and creating infographics bridging cardiovascular health, erectile dysfunction, and faith. They also led various robotic and electricity projects for the youth STEM camp.

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Intern Reflections: 

Eveé Blake: “My experience interning at AFAHO was nothing short of enriching. I garnered so much insight into the African and Caribbean immigrant population and the barriers that exist to receiving human services and medical care. I learned the importance of disseminating culturally sensitive knowledge and meeting people where they are. Furthermore, I learned about the successful pillars needed to build and maintain fruitful relationships with the community and how to best serve them. This experience further solidified my desire to serve underserved populations as a future physician. I’m so grateful for this entire BTG experience, and I will take all the tools that I've learned and implement them in my future career.”

 

Sarah Louineus: “This summer I had the pleasure of interning at the African Family Health Organization. I had the opportunity to work with individuals from various backgrounds and skill sets that improved my capacity to function well in a team. I've gained an understanding of the value of group brainstorming, fostering one another’s talents, and constructive conflict resolution.”

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American Heart Association

 

Promoting Clean Indoor Air (click to view poster)

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Student Interns: 
Julia Moran, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

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

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Community Preceptor:

Brad Cary, American Heart Association

Traci Kennedy, MPA, American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation

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Community Site: 
The primary mission of the American Heart Association is to promote longer and healthier lives. Working alongside the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation and other organizations, the American Heart Association is dedicated to ensuring that all indoor workspaces are smoke-free. Currently, their work in Pennsylvania focuses on promoting clean-air laws and providing resources for those who are negatively impacted by secondhand smoke in their workplaces.

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Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student intern assisted in advocating for casino employees and others who are subject to secondhand smoke in the workplace. The intern researched and collected up-to-date scientific information about the harmful effects of secondhand smoke and organized it into infographic-based fact sheets. The intern interviewed casino workers to learn about the battles they have been facing against indoor air pollution and the effects it has had on their health. The intern also worked on outreach by speaking to and meeting with state representatives and other important stakeholders. In preparation for these meetings, the intern created a document summarizing the Protecting Workers from Secondhand Smoke Act, which would eliminate the exemption that allows smoking inside casinos and private clubs in Pennsylvania.

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Intern Reflections:
Julia Moran: “This past summer has been an eye-opening and meaningful experience for me. As a lifelong Pennsylvanian, I was shocked to discover how many venues still allow smoking indoors. After listening to casino employees’ stories, it was heartbreaking to hear about the detrimental effects that these toxins have had on their health. The only way that everyone will have the right to the 100% smoke-free air that they deserve is for progressive legislation to be made. The advocacy work and support from the American Heart Association and American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation is crucial in making these changes happen, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve them.”

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Beyond Literacy

 

Empowering Through Education (click to view poster)

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Student Interns: 

Hannah Baukert, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine

Zhiyong (John) Xie, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

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Academic Preceptors:

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

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

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Community Preceptor:

Mercy Howard, BA, Student Support Coordinator, Beyond Literacy

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Community Site: 
Beyond Literacy is the largest literacy agency in Philadelphia, offering free, high-quality education to adults and families. By harnessing the power of literacy, they help learners improve their reading, writing, math, English language, digital literacy, and workplace skills. Through transformative classes, Beyond Literacy empowers individuals to break the cycle of poverty and succeed as workers, parents, and neighbors, ultimately enabling them to live better lives.

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Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns began their experience by helping prepare for and assisting at Beyond Literacy's graduation ceremony for the class of 2023 and engaging in the new-student intake process, identifying learners’ goals and potential barriers. The interns actively participated in various classes, including ESL and digital literacy courses, helping the learners and fostering inclusivity. The team demonstrated their commitment to health education by delivering three diverse presentations covering topics such as children’s oral health for new parents; the link between adult oral health, cardiovascular health, and smoking; and an introduction to preventive veterinary care. In addition to educational presentations, the team provided tangible support for learners' oral health by delivering necessary oral health supplies to all three Beyond Literacy campuses. Recognizing the importance of accessible healthcare services, the team also provided learners with resources for oral health services, smoking cessation support, and veterinary care that cater to individuals who lack insurance.

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Intern Reflections: 

Hannah Baukert: “Working at Beyond Literacy was an amazing experience that showed me how many people face barriers to accessing education and literacy. Knowing now how many people have had these barriers makes me want to change how I address client education and communication in my future practicing veterinary medicine. I think it is easy to take for granted that clients understand all the terminology being used when this should not be assumed, as patients cannot receive the care they need if their take-home instructions or care plan are not fully understood. Through spending time with learners at Beyond Literacy and shadowing courses, I have a better understanding of how to effectively communicate information in a way that is more relatable and comprehensible to more people, and for that I am very grateful.”

 

Zhiyong (John) Xie: “My experiences at Beyond Literacy showed me the importance of community engagement and the profound effect it can have on health outcomes. It has left me with a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health and the need to address barriers to healthcare access. Beyond Literacy addresses some of these barriers by empowering individuals through education and providing ESL learners with English language skills to improve their access to healthcare services. I believe Beyond Literacy truly went beyond just literacy, as it not only fostered literacy skills but also created an inclusive community for individuals from diverse backgrounds. Through this supportive environment, people from different walks of life found a safe place to thrive and grow, regardless of age or background. With a deep appreciation for the transformative power of education and community engagement in healthcare, I am dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of patients, promoting health equity, and fostering meaningful connections with the community as a healthcare professional.”

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Children First

 

Advocating for Children’s Behavioral Health Programs Through Opioid Settlement Funds in Southeastern Pennsylvania (click to view poster)

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Student Interns: 

Joyce Chen, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

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Academic Preceptors:

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

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Community Preceptors:
Kate Fox, DrPH(c), MPH, Behavioral Health Policy Coordinator, Children First

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Community Site: 
Children First is a child advocacy group that works to improve the lives of our region’s children by developing initiatives and advocating for quality healthcare, childcare, public education, and family stability.

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Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student intern completed two projects that advocate for a part of the opioid settlement funds to go toward behavioral health funding for children in the southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) counties. The intern researched the effects of opioid usage on kids to create infographics that advocate for behavioral health funding. The infographics detailed rates of emergency room visits, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and overdose deaths as well as recommendations on how the settlement funds should be spent to serve children in SEPA. The intern also completed a resource mapping project that compiled 61 school districts’ behavioral supports and interventions using the MTSS framework to identify districts with standout programs that can be used as models.

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Intern Reflections: 
Joyce Chen: “Working at Children First not only gave me a greater understanding of all the issues that children face in Pennsylvania but also a greater appreciation of the tireless work of advocates fighting for change. Even though I learned just how much injustice there is in our community, I also became inspired by the passion that the staff at Children First share to develop policies that aim to better the community. I would love to continue the work that I accomplished this summer, whether that looks like working on policy reform for mental health or tying in public health aspects with clinical dentistry. I am very thankful for the life-changing experience of working with and learning from the staff at Children First.”

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Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center

 

Serving Those Who Served (click to view poster)

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Student Interns: 

Colin Albers, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice

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Academic Preceptors:

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

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Community Preceptors:
Yarelli Morales, MPH, Voluntary Service Specialist, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center

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Community Site: 
The Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center provides healthcare services to veterans in Philadelphia and its surrounding areas.

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Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student intern worked in the Center for Civic Engagement at the VA in Philadelphia to serve those who served this past summer. The intern worked in the food pantry unloading, organizing, and preparing the food to be given to veterans in need. The intern also interviewed patients about their lives as part of the “My Life My Story” program, and then wrote biographies to help medical providers have a better understanding of who their patients are and what their experiences have been as veterans. During the hotter weeks when temperatures were in the 90s, there was a huge effort by the VA to make sure bottles of water were being handed out. The intern handed out a lot of water bottles during these weeks and spread happiness through a good attitude and, most important, a good sense of humor.

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Intern Reflections: 

Colin Albers: “Bridging the Gaps this summer at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center allowed me to service the veteran population once again. As an undergraduate student at Ohio State, I was an intern at the Columbus VA Medical Center, which is where my desire to serve those who served began. During the first week of the program, it was like I had never left. The sense of home is unmatched with the amazing sense of humor that the veteran population possesses. It was a good feeling when I could provide a veteran in need with clothes, personal hygiene, and other resources. I feel that I now have a better understanding of the needs of the veteran community in Philadelphia. I am forever grateful to the Bridging the Gaps program for the opportunity to work with employees and volunteers who share my passion to serve those who served.”

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Drexel Food Lab

 

The Intersectionality of Food & Medicine: Creating a Healthy Sustainable Diet (click to view poster)

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Student Interns: 

Rodaina Ahmed, Drexel University College of Medicine

Cynthia Huang, Drexel University College of Medicine

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Academic Preceptors:

Emily Spengler, MD, Drexel University College of Medicine, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children

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Community Preceptors:

Jonathan Deutsch, PhD, CRC, CHE, Drexel University, Departments of Food and Hospitality Management and Nutrition Sciences

Rachel Sherman, Drexel University, Department of Food and Hospitality Management

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Community Site: 
With the motto “Do good. Feed better. Keep going,” the Drexel Food Lab is a faculty-mentored interdisciplinary food product design and culinary innovation research lab solving real-world problems in sustainability and health promotion and access. It applies culinary arts and science to improve the health of people, the planet, and economies. In doing so, Drexel Food Lab not only develops new food products and menu items with entrepreneurs, and industry, nonprofit, and government partners, but also develops flagship products graduates across disciplines who are poised to improve the food system.

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Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns assisted with all the various activities of the Food Lab, including community lunches, product development, client meetings, research, and presentations on healthy eating, among others. The main project focused on sustainability through teaching home cooks how to reduce food waste. Another major project was centered on the concept that food plays a critical role in healing chronic diseases. The interns also volunteered with various community food organizations, such as MANNA, Philabundance, and Broad Street Ministry, in order to gain a better understanding of the food resources available in the community.

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Intern Reflections: 

Rodaina Ahmed: “Being a part of the Food Lab this summer has been nothing short of exceptional. I purposely chose this site to step outside of my comfort zone and get more experience in the culinary realm. We followed the daily activities of the lab from meeting clients to following recipes in the kitchen. I thoroughly enjoyed the spontaneity of each day and was always looking forward to the next. Our preceptors welcomed us with open arms and gave us various options of projects to work on each day. To get more firsthand involvement in the community volunteering at MANNA, Broad Street Ministry, and Philabundance were such fulfilling experiences and great resources to take into the future. My experience this summer has further emphasized the importance of how food is medicine and how both topics should be integrated more in medical education. Interning here has widened my scope on nutrition and taught me numerous valuable skills transferable to the medical field that will assist me as I become a physician.”

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Cynthia Huang: “Working in the Food Lab this summer was an absolutely amazing experience. I chose this site because nutrition is something I’m very passionate about, and I learned so much working at this site. Every day was different and exciting, and that spontaneity is part of what made the Food Lab so fun to work in. The community preceptors were also very supportive and let us have a very big input in our activities for the internship. For example, because we were interested in community food resources, they let us spend every Monday with a different organization, such as MANNA, Philabundance, and Broad Street Ministry. This site really emphasized to me the concept that food is so much more than just sustenance: It is community, innovation, collaboration, culture — and perhaps most relevant to me as a future physician, food is health and food is medicine. It is definitely not the most conventional community health site, but I think it is an invaluable opportunity for future health professionals to get a unique and deeper understanding of how food has huge impacts on health and on communities.”

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Einstein Immunodeficiency Center (IDC)

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Cervical Cancer Screening Project (click to view poster)

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Student Intern: 

Tessa Palisoc, Drexel University College of Medicine

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Academic Preceptor:

Kristen Ryczak, MD, Drexel University College of Medicine

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Community Preceptor:
Nicola D’Souza, MPH, LSW, Einstein Immunodeficiency Center

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Community Site: 
Founded in 1994, the Einstein Immunodeficiency Center (IDC) is housed within the Community Practice Center at Einstein Medical Center, which is part of Jefferson Health System. Funded by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, the IDC provides numerous services to adults living with HIV, including primary care, mental health counseling, nutrition counseling, and social work.

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Project: 

People living with HIV have an increased risk of cervical cancer, and it is recommended that they have a Pap test once per year. Unfortunately, the majority of this patient population is overdue for this screening. The Bridging the Gaps intern worked with the IDC’s quality improvement team to identify and provide outreach to patients who were due for cervical cancer screenings. This project involved compiling data on individual patients, correcting database errors, and making outreach phone calls to patients. Outside of this project, the intern had the opportunity to attend webinars on HIV care and quality improvement.

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Intern Reflections: 

Tessa Palisoc: “This summer was a fantastic, educational experience exploring the intersection between community medicine, public health, and social work. As someone who is interested in infectious diseases, I am so glad I had the opportunity to learn about the needs and realities of people living with HIV in this community. I had the honor of observing how a clinic serves its patients, even when resources are limited or patients face substantial barriers to care. I came away from this internship feeling that I have made a small but important impact, and I am so grateful to have participated in this project.”

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Einstein Pride Program

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Bridging the Gaps to Affirming Care: Addressing the Needs of LGBTQ+ Patients in Philadelphia (click to view poster)

 

Student Interns: 

Lorenzo Guani, Drexel University College of Medicine

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Academic Preceptors:

Kristen Ryczak, MD, Drexel University College of Medicine

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Community Preceptors:
Amos Koffa, MSW, Einstein Pride Program

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Community Site: 
The Einstein Pride Program offers the LGBTQ+ community a professional, safe, and caring home for their healthcare needs. The Pride Program offers a wide variety of services for patients, including primary care, OB/GYN care, a free letter of support for gender-affirming surgeries, and much more. The Pride Program also strives to remove barriers to care by advocating for patients’ needs across the Einstein Healthcare Network and attempting to interrupt systemic and institutionalized oppression, racism, homophobia, and transphobia in the field of healthcare.

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Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student intern worked closely with the Pride Program team to help meet the needs of patients within the program. The intern worked with patients to schedule them with primary care physicians, OB/GYN providers, and mental health professionals. The intern also connected patients to social supports, such as housing support, and assisted patients with gathering resources for gender-affirming surgeries. In addition, the intern had the opportunity to help update consent forms for pediatric patients beginning gender-affirming hormone therapies.

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Intern Reflections: 

Lorenzo Guani: “Working at the Pride Program this summer has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had thus far. I witnessed the experiences of LGBTQ+ patients in Philadelphia and how many providers in the area are not entirely affirming or inclusive of patients who fall outside of the binary. Importantly, too, it felt really gratifying knowing that I was helping connect patients to providers who would be affirming and inclusive of their identities. After working at the Einstein Pride Program, I know that I want to integrate gender-affirming care into my future career and will advocate and ensure that all patients are provided the safe, inclusive medical care they deserve. I hope to also use this experience to help educate my fellow peers and colleagues on the experiences of trans and gender-diverse patients, and how they can make their future medical practice more responsive to this population.”

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Hall Mercer

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Understanding the Lives of the Adult Wellness Program Clients (click to view poster)

 

Student Interns: 

Chloe Johnson, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

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

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Community Preceptor: 
Beverly Bradley, Case Manager, Hall Mercer

Angelo Cirrincione, Case Manager, Hall Mercer

Steve Niederriter, MBA, Assistant Director of Operations for Outpatient Behavioral Health Services, Hall Mercer

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Community Site: 

Hall Mercer is a community mental health center that is affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. The center aims to better the lives of those affected with mental illness or developmental disabilities by broadening their acceptance and advancing their care. A wide range of services are provided to both children and adults, with an emphasis on caring for the underserved.

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Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student intern helped with the Adult Wellness Program by taking daily attendance and checking in on the clients. The intern led and assisted with the daily activities that are a part of the program and built crucial relationships with each client in order to understand their background and individual needs. The intern also created an oral health presentation and distributed oral hygiene kits with the goal of educating the clients and improving their oral health.

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Intern Reflections:
Chloe Johnson: “My Bridging the Gaps experience this summer exposed to me a whole new population I had never worked with before. Before I started my work at Hall Mercer, I didn’t know what to expect when working with individuals with disabilities; however, from day one they made me feel more than comfortable. I was so excited to come into Hall Mercer every day to see what the clients were up to and to hear more of their stories. I built so many deep and meaningful relationships with clients and staff that I hope will continue throughout my time here. I know that my experience at Hall Mercer will help me tremendously when working with patients with disabilities in my future. They taught me so much that I will carry with me through dental school, in my career as a dentist, and beyond.”

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HIAS and Council Migration Services of Philadelphia

 

Health Case Manager Interns (click to view poster)

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Student Interns: 

Jessica Dauphinais, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

David Sowa, 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

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

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Community Preceptors:
Amy Eckendorf, LSW, Immigrant Health and Wellness Program Manager, HIAS Pennsylvania 

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Community Site: 
The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society of Pennsylvania (HIAS PA) is one of the largest refugee resettlement agencies in the Philadelphia area. It offers both legal aid and social services to eligible Office of Refugee Resettlement clients across metropolitan Philadelphia. The Immigrant Wellness Program at HIAS PA serves clients in numerous ways: It offers intensive case management services to eligible clients, connects them to medical and dental appointments, provides medical accompaniments, links clients to new primary care physicians, and more.

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Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns acted as health case managers, serving as advocates for a diverse patient population from multiple countries. These clients are all refugees who have recently resettled in the United States and often have a huge language barrier, and HIAS PA aims to alleviate some of the stress clients may have while interacting with English speakers and adapting to the local culture. The interns communicated with social services and many different healthcare offices (dentists, doctors, physical therapists, ophthalmologists, and more) to coordinate appointments for clients and troubleshoot administrative challenges. The interns also accompanied clients to healthcare appointments with the goal of helping them get comfortable using public transportation and navigating the city, ultimately cultivating the independence and agency required for them to make Philadelphia their new home.

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Intern Reflections: 

Jessica Dauphinais: “My BTG CHIP experience at HIAS PA completely changed my future focus as to what I would like to do as a future provider. This summer I got to work with the immigrant population and learned so much about how the transition to the U.S. is and how our healthcare system constantly is failing them. I always knew I wanted to go into some sort of public health option of dentistry, but this summer really solidified my passion for working with a vulnerable population. One of the biggest challenges I faced this summer is the access to care, more specifically the access to interpretation. The population I worked with spoke barely any English, and as a patient you have a right to interpretation. Through my work with different providers, I found how few providers offer interpretation. Without an interpreter these patients can’t communicate with potential providers. I know now I only want to work in an office that offers these resources and so much more. The barriers my clients face are so real. [W]orking in a community health center has always been a goal of mine, and this experience confirmed working with a vulnerable population is where I belong. Language is only one barrier refugees and immigrants face, but it was the one that stuck with me the most and had the most impact on some future criteria that I want to practice with.” 

 

David Sowa: “For all the impressive feats that our healthcare system can accomplish, the fact remains that the application of our medical knowledge is not the same for all people. Guiding patients with HIAS PA opened a window into the challenges of actually navigating a complicated system that unfortunately does not always prioritize healthcare based on the gravity of a patient’s issues. On the one hand, connecting clients with providers who could provide pain-relieving care and who could communicate effectively with our clients provided great satisfaction. Seeing a client’s eyes light up when they were able to properly express themselves through an interpreter showed me how vital this service is to empowering patients. On the other hand, it was disheartening when advocating for clients for whom interpretation services were not properly provided or whose medical issues could not be fully covered by their health insurance, however distressing their conditions may be. Coming away from this experience, I have a greater awareness of all of the challenges that patients face before even getting into the examination room for the patient-provider interaction. So much of what determines someone’s proper healthcare can hinge on their ability to coordinate childcare, find work, and cross language and cultural barriers. In that sense, working at HIAS PA has allowed me to not only appreciate the diversity of paths that bring people to the U.S.A. and Philadelphia, but also feel that I have made some small contribution to easing that path. My experience this summer has stoked an interest in working with this vulnerable population in the future, perhaps through volunteering at my school’s refugee health clinic.”

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Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships, Temple University’s Vice President’s Office for Public Affairs

 

Promoting the Health and Well-Being of Communities with the Lenfest Center​ (click to view poster)

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Student Interns: 

Santiago Appiani, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Michael Mirarchi, Temple University, School of Social Work – College of Public Health

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Academic Preceptor:

Brian Work, MD, MPH, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

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Community Preceptors:

Alejandra Castano, MSW, PHA Cares Project Coordinator, Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships, Temple University’s Vice President’s Office for Public Affairs

Shirley Moy, MSW, Executive Director, Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships, Temple University’s Vice President’s Office for Public Affairs

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Community Site: 
The Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships (LCCWP) is a part of Temple University’s Office of Public Affairs. Its mission is to engage people throughout the North Philadelphia area and address the issues that affect those communities. It has several programs through which it supports adult education, career development, health literacy, public housing, trauma education, and many other aspects of the community.

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Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns provided math tutoring for adults studying for the GED and support for the Lenfest Center’s Resiliency in Communities After Stress and Trauma program, which funds community organizations to promote healing from trauma and stress. They also assisted with the Temple job fair by helping to set up and take down the event and by answering job seekers’ questions about the fair. They manned a table at a Parenting Day event at the Achieving Independence Center (AIC), which supports young adults aging out of foster care. At this event, the interns answered health-related questions from new and expecting mothers. The interns also participated in discussions during a mental health class taught by AIC for teens in foster care. The interns also manned a table at the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s (PHA) Jump Into Summer event, where they distributed leaflets on summer health topics along with free sunscreen, and prepared and presented various health-related topics at PHA sites. Finally, the interns provided support to the Lenfest Center’s Branching Up Program, which gives incarcerated men early release from prison conditioned on their completing an internship and obtaining full-time employment after the internship.

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Intern Reflections: 

Santiago Appiani: “BTG CHIP has given me the experience to become a more caring and understanding healthcare provider. By both working at the Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships and learning and discussing various topics about the disparities of healthcare on the Wednesday sessions, I have been given a lot of new tools and skills to help with communicating and connecting with people, and the opportunity to apply and practice these lessons with real people. Additionally, my gained knowledge about the different city resources available for struggling people will aid in my future healthcare work. Finally, the experiences at BTG CHIP will allow me to be a kinder and more empathetic person in my everyday life.”

 

Mike Mirarchi: “BTG CHIP has given me valuable firsthand experience working with clients in vulnerable populations. It has shown me the power of macro social work to effect structural change, as the various programs offered by the Lenfest Center result in people living in North Philadelphia achieving greater economic security. My work supporting men participating in the Lenfest Center’s Branching Up Program, which gets men who were incarcerated early release from parole, has shown me how critical economic opportunity is to preventing recidivism and the importance of providing support to men who are reentering society after having been incarcerated. The Wednesday presentations challenged me to think about issues, such as period poverty, that I had never even been aware of due to my privileged demographic.”

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Mazzoni Center

 

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

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Student Interns: 

Scott Orlov, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Blake Weil, Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College

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Academic Preceptor:

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

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Community Preceptors:

Andrew Gudzelak, Mazzoni Center

Dustin Latimer, PA-C, Mazzoni Center

Devon Taylor, Director of Practice Management, Mazzoni Center

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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Mothers in Charge, Inc.

 

Stop the Violence​ (click to view poster)

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Student Interns: 

Rachel Gray, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice

Ujashi Shah, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

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Academic Preceptors:

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

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

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

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Community Preceptors:
Dorothy Johnson-Speight, PhD, MHS, LPC, Founder and National Executive Director, Mothers in Charge, Inc. (MIC)

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Community Site: 
Mothers in Charge, Inc., is a violence prevention, education, and intervention-based organization that advocates for and assists mothers, children, families, and community organizations affected by gun violence. It supports individuals and communities through programs such as grief support, participatory defense, anger management, mentoring of at-risk youth, public education, and art therapy for trauma.

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Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns at Mothers in Charge, Inc., worked on a variety of tasks over the summer. The interns sat in on groups such as grief support and anger management on a weekly basis. They engaged with community members and at-risk youth in partnership with organizations like the Juvenile Justice Center and were responsible for the newsletter and for creating documents that promoted events. In addition, they were tasked with writing white papers on the topics of gun violence and trauma-informed care.

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Intern Reflections: 

Rachel Gray: “I loved my experience at Mothers in Charge. It was not an easy site to be at in terms of learning from folks’ traumatic experiences, but it was necessary for gaining an in-depth understanding of the state of gun violence, specifically in Philadelphia. I learned so much from the staff, who are also mostly made up of people who have been impacted by gun violence and/or have dealt with previous incarceration. We had the amazing opportunity to sit in on a lot of groups that I would not have otherwise been given the opportunity to experience, and these groups really made all the difference in my experience. Real bonds were made with staff and clients alike, and the experience was invaluable and will weigh a lot in how I think about certain systems while continuing to pursue social work.”

 

Ujashi Shah: “This was such an eye-opening experience because I got a chance to work directly with and learn from people affected by the gun violence crisis in Philadelphia. The staff at Mothers in Charge were so welcoming from the beginning, and I believe that I built strong, lasting relationships and became a part of this community. Not only did I get a chance to engage in activities I was interested in, including community engagement and public health research, I also learned valuable skills and lessons from people with lived experience and training that I hope to bring to my future career serving as a medical provider. I plan on continuing to do work in the realm of gun violence prevention and restorative justice.”

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Nationalities Service Center

 

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

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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

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Academic Preceptor:

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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No More Secrets: Mind Body Spirit Inc.

 

Helping Women Bleed With Dignity​ (click to view poster)

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Student Interns: 

Sarah Mathew, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

Bethany Sacks, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine

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Academic Preceptors:

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

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

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Community Preceptors:

Nya McGlone, MS, Co-founder and COO, No More Secrets: Mind Body Spirit, Inc.

Lynette Medley, MEd, Co-founder and CEO, No More Secrets: Mind Body Spirit, Inc.

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Community Site: 
No More Secrets: Mind Body Spirit, Inc., (NMS) is the world’s first menstrual and uterine wellness hub. NMS proudly distributes about 63,000 menstrual and hygiene products every week, totaling more than 17 million products in the past two years since it opened the SPOT. NMS has served an estimated 600,000+ individuals this year through its main brick and mortar (the SPOT) and satellite locations at several historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The organization provides support for women with bleeding disorders, postpartum complications, and menstrual insecurities. This not only reduces the need for people who menstruate to engage in risky behaviors (such as using socks and gloves in place of pads, which can lead to BV, UTIs, etc.; trading sexual favors for products; or stealing), but also gives these individuals a sense of dignity and a safe place to ask questions. NMS currently serves people nationwide, but predominantly across every zip code in Philadelphia.

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Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked on several different projects to help NMS further its mission, including creating a resource list to give Co-founders Nya McGlone and Lynette Medley alternative sites to refer their community to, as needed. The interns assisted with daily appointments and instruction on health and wellness for clients who visited the SPOT and made things easier by reorganizing both the pad and tampon rooms. They also assisted with reaching out for grants and community sponsors to help relieve some of the financial pressures that NMS faces.

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Intern Reflections: 

Sarah Mathew and Bethany Sacks: “This experience was genuinely life-changing for our team. Through our Bridging the Gaps placement at No More Secrets, we have been able to better understand some of the struggles and resiliency that the Philadelphia community lives with on a daily basis. We have learned valuable lessons in empathy, listening, asking questions, and putting the community needs first from their point of view. Not only have these been meaningful lessons while we were working at the SPOT, but we will take this growth through both our schooling and working as health professionals.”

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Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Ambulatory Health Services 

 

Prescription Assistance Program Patient Advocates’ Experiences (click to view poster)

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Student Interns: 

Dominic Hendrickson, Drexel University College of Medicine

Mekhala Santebennur, Drexel University College of Medicine

Shivashree Sekar, Drexel University College of Medicine

Caleb Smith, Drexel University College of Medicine

Sarah Taekman, Drexel University College of Medicine

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Academic Preceptors:

Barbara Hogan-Zarro, PhD, Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions

Vincent Zarro, MD, PhD, Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions

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Community Preceptors:
Patrycja Dziekonska, MPH, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Ambulatory Health Services

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Community Site: 
The health centers of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health are strategically located to serve some of the most underserved populations throughout Philadelphia. Among their many offerings, the centers provide primary care, OB-GYN care, dental care, and social and legal services. The health centers accept patients with Medicare, Medicaid, and HMO plans as well as uninsured patients. Uninsured patients are charged small fees based on household size and income. The health centers’ Prescription Assistance Program helps patients who have no prescription coverage obtain medications for free through the assistance programs run by drug manufacturing companies.

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Project: 

The Bridging the Gaps student interns worked as patient advocates in the Prescription Assistance Program (PAP) at health centers throughout Philadelphia, helping uninsured and underinsured patients obtain their medications for free or at low cost. The interns guided patients through the application process and worked closely with prescription drug companies to ensure that applications were properly completed. Once patients were successfully enrolled, the interns were also responsible for making sure the patients obtained timely medication refills, so their regimens were not interrupted. The interns enlisted the help of interpreters and health center staff to ensure that patients felt welcome and heard.

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Intern Reflections: 

Dominic Hendrickson: “My time working in the Prescription Assistance Program (PAP) office at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health has been an eye-opening experience. As a patient advocate, I have developed a better understanding of how the intersections of an individual’s identity impact their ability to engage with the healthcare system. As I move forward in my education and career, I aim to continue to carry these skills with me to better understand the people I serve and meet them on common ground. Building on this, at the health centers in which I operated, I witnessed the benefit of having an interdisciplinary model of care. Having access to dental care, legal counseling, medical care, benefit counseling, prescriptions, etc. under one roof works to actively eliminate barriers to care. This model of care is one I now know I want to push for throughout my time as a healthcare provider. Although this experience has been a great experience for my professional growth, it has also brought me lots of joy. Taking the time to get to know and interact with the patients I work with is something I look forward to each time I walk into my office. I have learned so much about how to best communicate with my patients, interpreters, pharmaceutical companies, and colleagues — skills not easily taught in the classroom. Overall, my experience in the PAP office has taught me so much about the health of the communities in the city of Philadelphia, and I look forward to continuing to engage with these communities. I also hope to continue the relationships I have developed with the staff at both Health Center 4 and 6 because I have grown to deeply admire the work they do.”

 

Mekhala Santebennur: “My time working at the Prescription Assistance Program (PAP) has truly been a rewarding experience. I have truly enjoyed working with patients and helping them in their time of need. The look of relief on their faces when I tell them they have been approved for a program, or that their medication has come in, is truly satisfying. Though the work is sometimes tedious and boring, it is still quite rewarding. I have also learned a lot about different types of medications. I believe that this will be useful going forward as a healthcare professional. I do not think I would have gotten such exposure if I had chosen to do anything else this summer. Overall, my favorite part of the job was just talking to the patients. Each person had a different life story and experience, and I truly enjoyed listening to everything they had to say.”

 

Shivashree Sekar: “I had a wonderful experience at the PAP office. I split my time between two different health centers and learned about how these centers operate (integrated medical, dental, family planning, prenatal, etc. services offered at one community center). I also learned about how the city operates with regards to hiring and implementing changes in health centers, including what’s working and what can be improved, through my storytelling project. Overall, my experience helped me learn about different resources in the community that I hadn’t heard about before. It encouraged me to take the time to educate myself on whatever resources are in the area where I’m working in in the future. I am also encouraged to really take the time to know and understand where my patient is coming from. Context is everything. It’s important to have everyone involved (e.g., social work, mental health, benefits counselor), because more likely than not, the patient’s issues are multifaceted, and my medical expertise isn’t sufficient on its own to help them.”

 

Caleb Smith: “My experience at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health in the Prescription Assistance Program (PAP) office has been incredibly beneficial for my professional development. Advocates are necessary for connecting many of these patients with programs that provide reduced-cost medications that are typically inaccessible for patients to apply for on their own. It is invaluable to have advocates that understand the system and can explain complex applications and eligibility requirements to patients in need of life-saving medication. Additionally, I have been able to witness interdisciplinary care between medicine, dental, legal services, and benefits counseling. Centralizing these aspects of care increases their accessibility for community members and creates a seamless transition between visits for patients in need of multiple services. Furthermore, working with interpreters has shown me their value as vehicles of communication but also cultural liaisons for communities I do not routinely interact with. As a professional, I will keep these programs and benefits in mind when I serve patients with limited access to medications and advocate for services that enable better patient care, like in-person interpreters. In terms of personal growth, it has been incredibly rewarding to connect patients with prescription assistance services. Being able to witness the financial and emotional burden lifted off patients and families as they gain access to medications that help them lead a better, healthier lifestyle makes me feel like I’m making a difference in the lives of others.”

 

Sarah Taekman: “My time working in the Prescription Assistance Program (PAP) has been, in one word, revealing: of the healthcare system, of pharmaceutical companies, of insurance, and of my own privilege. For uninsured patients living below the federal poverty line, paying for a necessary prescription becomes yet another stressor. I’ve felt lucky to have this opportunity to work one-on-one with patients, helping them navigate the process of program enrollment. These patients allowed me to learn about their lives, witness their frustration at the ever-changing program requirements, and share in their joy when our work finally grants them access to much-needed medications. The process of applying for programs is time-consuming, complex, and stressful. And because time is a scarce resource for both providers and patients alike, this experience has emphasized to me that it’s more important than ever to approach patient care as an interdisciplinary team. I hope to take my experience and new knowledge of PAP with me as a future healthcare provider, working with patients to help them access the resources they need.”

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