LECOM Medical Center and Behavioral Health Pavilion
Title: Balance and Belonging Week: Celebrating All Aspects of Health
Student Interns:
Olivia Greenwood
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Ethan Zelenke
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Academic Preceptor:
Christopher C. Keller, PhD, CPH
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Community Preceptor:
Danielle Lesik, MA, LPC, MT-BC
LECOM Medical Center and Behavioral Health Pavilion
Community Site:
The LECOM Medical Center and Behavioral Health Pavilion (formerly Millcreek Community Hospital) is an osteopathic acute care hospital serving Erie, PA, and the surrounding communities, providing inpatient and emergency care as well as outpatient services. The Pavilion includes multiple inpatient psychiatric units, including separate facilities for pediatric psychiatric patients. As part of LECOM Health, it is dedicated to providing whole-person lifelong patient care while upholding the values of service, clinical innovation, and research.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns created a “Balance and Belonging Week” suite of educational programs for the patients on the pediatric and adolescent behavioral health unit. Each day of the week was dedicated to a specific topic, including oral and general hygiene, physical health, mental health, and social health. Activities focused on educating patients about each aspect of health and how it affected other areas, providing a multifaceted view of well-being. Patients were included as active participants, alongside the interns and unit staff, in games and activities to help further learning retention and encourage willingness to learn.
Reflections
“During my time in the Bridging the Gaps Program at the LECOM Behavioral Health Pavilion, I developed a deeper appreciation for the vital role each healthcare professional plays in delivering high-quality, compassionate care. Observing the collaboration between physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and support staff showed me that effective care relies on mutual respect and shared purpose. This experience taught me that listening, teamwork, and recognizing the unique contributions of every team member are essential to truly meeting patients’ needs. Carrying these lessons forward, I’m committed to becoming a physician who values collaboration and leads with empathy.”
Olivia Greenwood
“I am beyond thankful for my time at the LECOM Behavioral Health Pavilion on the inpatient pediatric psychiatry unit. I have learned so much from the incredibly skilled staff there, from therapeutic skills to the day-to-day of unit functions. As a future physician, I know I will be able to utilize these lessons to work with my fellow team members in healthcare environments, bringing their expertise to work with pediatric and adult patients alike. In concert with further education, I feel confident I will be able to provide even better care to patients, improving their experience myself and with those alongside me.”
Ethan Zelenke