Mercy Neighborhood Ministries
Title: Growing Healthy Futures: Lessons on Community Partnership and Education
Student Interns:
Medha Annam
Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Grace Barr
Thomas Jefferson University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
Academic Preceptor:
Zoë Van Orsdol, MA, MPH
Thomas Jefferson University, College of Population Health
Community Preceptor:
Barbara Coleman
Mercy Neighborhood Ministries
Community Site:
The mission of Mercy Neighborhood Ministries is to serve and improve the quality of life for its neighbors by establishing a strong academic and economic foundation for future success. The organization provides intergenerational programs to members of the Tioga-Nicetown community, including early education and youth development as well as adult education and workforce programs. The motto is “neighbor helping neighbor” to help break the cycle of poverty impacting many members of the community.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps interns assisted community members and staff with summer camp activities while building relationships with students and providing age-appropriate health education in two separate classrooms. In the classroom with children aged 7 through 12, one intern led weekly interactive lessons on cardiovascular health and exercise, nutrition, oral health, and the common cold, culminating in a Jeopardy-style review game with prizes to reinforce key concepts learned during the summer. In the classroom with children aged 2 to 6, the strategy shifted toward integrated teaching, with the second intern interweaving health education into everyday play, such as using the play kitchen to introduce nutrition and healthy foods.
Reflections
Spending this past summer at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries has been incredibly fulfilling. Over the past few weeks, I had the opportunity to build relationships with the preschoolers, and becoming closer with them every day reminded me how much trust, consistency, and being present matter when caring for young children. Seeing the dedication and compassion of the staff and teachers also deepened my appreciation for the role that community support, early education, and strong relationships play in shaping a child’s growth. I hope to carry these lessons throughout my medical career by continuing to build trusting relationships and recognizing that supportive care extends far beyond the clinic.
Medha Annam
The BTG CHIP experience had a profound impact on both my personal and professional development. Working at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries reinforced my passion for serving underserved communities and taught me that meaningful healthcare extends far beyond the practice of medicine. Through spending my days with students and teaching them health lessons, I learned the importance of meeting people where they are, communicating in a way that connects with the individual’s background, perspective, and level of understanding, and recognizing that healthcare often starts with effective education. Above all, my most valuable take away from this experience was the relationships I built. The bonds I formed with students, teachers, and staff reminded me that kindness, patience, humor, and genuine human connection are among the most powerful tools we have. This BTG experience reaffirmed and further inspired me to become a physician grounded in compassion and joy. I aspire to be someone who not only provides excellent clinical care, but also educates, advocates for, and serves the communities as they deserve.
Grace Barr
