No More Secrets, Mind Body Spirit Inc.
Title: Flowing Toward Health Equity: A Summer with No More Secrets, Mind Body Spirit
Student Interns:
Jaylin Carter
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Sarah Mahoney
Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Academic Preceptor:
Dalmacio Dennis Flores, PhD, ACRN, FAAN
University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Jerome Wright, MSW, LSW
Temple University, Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Community Preceptor:
Lynette Medley, MEd
Co-founder and CEO, No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit Inc.
Nya McGlone, MS
Co-founder and COO, No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit Inc.
Community Site:
No More Secrets, Mind Body Spirit Inc. is a Black-women-led nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood, founded in 2012 by mother-daughter duo Lynette Medley and Nya McGlone, alongside Community Coordinator Shaniece Hill. Dedicated to advancing menstrual equity and reducing health disparities, the organization works to eliminate period poverty, dismantle menstrual stigma, and improve access to comprehensive health education and hygiene resources for historically underserved communities.
Team’s Experience:
Over seven weeks, the Bridging the Gaps interns supported the organization’s Brave. Brilliant. Becoming. Summer Girls Empowerment Academy, helping plan and facilitate a day camp for girls aged 9 to 11. Throughout the program, the interns helped develop and deliver interactive presentations and hands-on activities focused on menstrual health, hygiene, self-care, STEM, entrepreneurship, oral health, smoking prevention, and confidence building. The interns also assisted with wellness events and educational initiatives aligned with No More Secrets’ mission of promoting menstrual equity, health education, and empowerment for underserved communities.
Reflections
In all, participating in BTG was a meaningful experience that strengthened both my personal and professional growth. Throughout the program, I gained a deeper understanding of the social factors that influence health and the importance of community-centered care. Engaging with the organization No More Secrets, Mind Body Spirit, as well as attending the weekly Wednesday seminars, improved my understanding of health disparities and interdisciplinary teamwork. One of the most rewarding aspects of BTG was working with students interested in self-care and menstrual health, as well as with professionals dedicated to improving community health outcomes. This experience challenged me to think critically about my future role as a nurse and how I can advocate for underserved populations. It also reinforced the importance of communication, teamwork, cultural humility, and lifelong learning in healthcare. The relationships I built with fellow interns, faculty, and community members made the experience both rewarding and inspiring.
Jaylin Carter
The BTG experience reinforced that meaningful health education begins with trust, respect, and genuine community engagement. Working alongside No More Secrets demonstrated that improving health outcomes requires more than simply providing information; it requires creating safe, welcoming spaces where individuals feel heard, empowered, and comfortable asking questions. One of the most valuable lessons I learned this summer was the importance of adapting to the needs of the community and the organization. As The SPOT Period Hub has grown, No More Secrets has intentionally evolved its approach. Rather than solely distributing menstrual products, the organization increasingly addresses the root causes of health inequities by pairing product distribution with educational programming. This shift reinforced that sustainable change often requires more than meeting an immediate need; it requires creating opportunities for learning and empowerment. Perhaps my biggest takeaway was gaining a realistic understanding of what it means to work alongside a nonprofit. It is easy to assume what an organization needs from the outside, but effective service begins by listening.
Sarah Mahoney
Partners
