Philadelphia FIGHT
Title: Strengthening Health Connections for Immigrant Families and PrEP Patients
Student Interns:
Victoria Garity-Fernández
University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice
Karen Wang
University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
Academic Preceptor:
Hillary R. Bogner, MD, MSCE
University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine
Donald L. Boyer, MD, MSEd
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Johanna K.P. Greeson, PhD, MSS, MLSP
University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy & Practice
Community Preceptor:
Kate Cerrone, MSN, CRNP
Philadelphia FIGHT
Leah Scherzer, MD
Philadelphia FIGHT
Dana Serafin, CRNP, FNP-BC
Philadelphia FIGHT
Maggie Webb, MPH
Philadelphia FIGHT
Community Site:
Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers, located in Center City, provides high-quality, comprehensive primary care to address the physical and emotional health needs of children and adults. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), FIGHT welcomes all patients regardless of gender, race, color, sex, religious beliefs, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, insurance status, or ability to pay.
Team’s Experience:
The Bridging the Gaps student interns at Philadelphia FIGHT focused on projects involving patient education, resources, and connection to care. One intern worked with the pediatrics team on an immigration project, focusing on accessible resources for immigrant families in Philadelphia, Upper Darby, and Lansdowne. Through this project, several bilingual resources were revised and redone, and many handouts and pamphlets were created in both English and Spanish for oral care, diet, and behavioral concerns. The intern also assisted with day-to-day interpreting. The other intern worked with the PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) team, which focuses on providing support to patients who are on pre-exposure prophylactic medications for HIV. The intern conducted outreach to patients who were overdue for a follow-up appointment or had been lost to care. Both interns created educational resources on the different forms of PrEP, the newly FDA-approved six-month injectable PrEP, and adult oral care.
Reflections
“The pediatrics, YHEP, and dental teams at FIGHT go above and beyond to care for families’ whole health, addressing not just physical needs, but also creating a sense of safety, support, and belonging in their communities. Their care extends well beyond annual checkups; families truly feel the genuine dedication of every team member. Kids leave with new books and a sense of acceptance I never imagined a doctor’s office could provide. They transform sterile medical spaces into warm, welcoming environments for people from all backgrounds. My time at FIGHT was eye-opening and challenged my perception of the healthcare field. The long-term relationships built between clients and social workers are essential to both patient health and the strength of the office. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) serve as the connective tissue across departments, supporting whole-person care, and the team deeply values their role. I’m incredibly grateful for this experience and for the lifelong connections I formed along the way.”
Victoria Garity-Fernández
“Working with the PrEP team at Philadelphia FIGHT has provided me with an invaluable learning experience this summer. Witnessing the team’s dedication to each patient in making sure they are able to access care and continue to take their medications has truly cemented what it means to provide patient-centered care. Whether this means helping patients apply for medication assistance, providing free samples of PrEP, or personally texting patients to remind them of their upcoming appointments, the team remains focused on each patient’s needs despite the conditions that may hinder care. I’ve seen the impact of this commitment to each individual in the ways that patients have expressed their gratitude and given me their trust when I mentioned that I am working with the PrEP team. HIV care and prevention has a long history of being stigmatized and underfunded. Having this opportunity to work with a team that is fully committed to HIV prevention has inspired me to bring a similar level of dedication and perseverance to my future practice.”
Karen Wang