Syllabus
Community Health Internship (BTG CHIP)
2025 Syllabus
Program Directors
Academic Institution Name Email
Drexel Elissa Goldberg, MSS, LSW ejg32@drexel.edu
Laura Mullin, MS lam479@drexel.edu
Drexel, Reading Holly Metzgar, DO, FACOG, NCMP Holly.Metzgar@towerhealth.org
Jefferson Zoë Van Orsdol, MA, MPH Zoe.VanOrsdol@jefferson.edu
Temple Jerome Wright, MSW, LSW jerome.wright@temple.edu
UPenn Bridget McCormick, MS bmccor@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
DeSales Tricia Bernecker, PhD, RN Tricia.Bernecker@desales.edu
Cooper Anthony Rostain, MD, MS Rostain-anthony@CooperHealth.edu
Mara Gordon, MD gordon-mara@CooperHealth.edu
Paige Persons, MPH persons-paige@CooperHealth.edu
Expectations:
Taken from the BTG Student Agreement 2025:
Bridging the Gaps is both a professional development experience and a job. Therefore, we expect that students will handle their commitment to the program professionally, including completing all of the requirements stated herein and treating people with respect and dignity. If a student does not fulfill these expectations, we will notify the student's school through a letter to the appropriate Dean. Unprofessional behavior reflects not only on the individual, but on the institution and the profession.
Assignments: (SEE ASSIGNMENT DETAILS for more information)
1. RECORDED SESSIONS:
MUST BE VIEWED PRIOR TO JUNE 18
BTG Program Evaluation
Bridget McCormick, MS, Bridging the Gaps
Introduction to Oral Health in the Bridging the Gaps Program
Abby Quinn Peterson, DMD, MPH, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
Oral Health Supplies Order Form
Introduction from Pennsylvania Department of Health
Edward Naugle, PhD, Director, Pennsylvania Primary Care Office
Additional Resource:
Read through these slides and use this resource if needed (and make sure to reach out your
Program Director and Community Preceptor if you witness abuse).
The MAHA Report, The White House
Please read through prior to June 25th
See Optional Readings section for other related readings on this topic.
2. STORY TELLING PROJECT: Due July 18th submit to student coordinators
Goal: For students to hear the perspective of the community from someone in the community.
3. ORAL HEALTH/CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE/SMOKING CESSATION: Due July 18th
submit to student coordinators
Goal: For Students to incorporate into their projects when appropriate.
4. SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT:
If your site is hosting an event, awareness campaign, resources, etc. tag @BTGupdates so we can share the post or email Nasheeka Conix (Nasheeka.Conix@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) or
Bridget McCormick (bmccor@pennmedicine.upenn.edu)
5. WEEKLY JOURNALS/ FINAL PAPER
6. TEAM EXPERIENCE SUMMARY/ SYMPOSIUM: Professional Presentation Materials (see
Symposium section in student login, details TBA)
7. CENTRAL TEXT: Long Bright River by Liz Moore, your Program Director will provide you with your book.
8. EVALUATIONS AND QUESTIONNAIRES: Completion of weekly and end of the program
evaluations and questionnaires is a program requirement. Links will be sent via redcap.
Small Group:
Lead by a skilled facilitator Small Groups will focus on what students are learning through their community-based work as well as from all other components of the program: BTG presentations, the students’ growing understanding of their community site, the storytelling project, articles, discussions, etc. Small Groups take place weekly during the Wednesday Curricular Sessions.
Group Number Small Group Facilitators Email
Group 1 Darcie Rudolf darcier@upliftphilly.org
Group 2 Anthony Singleton asingleton@educators4education.org
Group 3 Elissa Goldberg ejg32@drexel.edu
Group 4 David Malloy DMalloy@merakey.org
Group 5 Rayn Philips rphillips@gaudenzia.org
Group 6 Crystal Wortham crystal@upliftphilly.org
Group 7 Pat Dooley Patrick.Dooley@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Group 8 Jerome Wright jerome.wright@temple.edu
Group 9 Jocelyn Jones Arnold jocelynarnold@gmail.com
Group 10 Zoë Van Orsdol Zoe.VanOrsdol@jefferson.edu
Course Schedule:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18th - BTG ORIENTATION:
Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine (3500 N. Broad St, Room 105)
8:00 - 8:30AM Breakfast
8:30 - 9:00AM BTG Welcome/Introduction
Lucy Wolf Tuton, PhD, BTG Executive Director
9:00 - 10:00 AM Narrative Medicine
Mara Gordon, MD
10:00 - 10:15AM Break
10:15 - 12:15 PM De-escalation Training
Geremi James, MSW, LSW
12:15 - 12:20PM Introduction to Small Groups
Crystal Wortham, MSW, LCSW
12:20 - 12:45PM Break & Grab Lunch
12:45 - 1:45PM Small Groups
1:45 - 2:05PM Public Safety
TBD
2:05 - 2:20PM Cardiovascular Health in the Community
Anthony Singleton, Educators 4 Education
2:20 - 3:00PM Key Details of BTG
- You are a Mandated Reporter
- Assignment and Resource Overview
- Oral Health Resources
3:00 - 3:15PM Break
3:15 - 3:45PM Introduction to Healthcare in America discussion (6/25)
Discussing the MAHA Report (please review prior to next week)
Tony Rostain, MD, MA
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25th
University of Pennsylvania (421 Curie Blvd, BRB II/III Auditorium)
8:00 - 8:30AM Breakfast
8:30 - 8:45AM Announcements
8:45 - 9:45AM EIHCTRSDUE: A practical approach to navigating the ethical, legal, and racial dilemmas in child abuse reporting
Mario Cruz, MD
9:45 - 10:00AM Break
10:00 - 11:00AM Tobacco Free Policy and Smoking Cessation
Ryan Coffman, MPH, CHES, CTTS-M Tobacco Policy and Control Program Manager,
Philadelphia Department of Public Health
11:00 - 12:00PM Small Groups
12:00 - 1:00PM Lunch
1:00 - 1:15PM Introduction to Health Literacy
Mercy Howard, Beyond Literacy
1:15 - 2:00PM Gun Violence in Philadelphia
Scott Charles, MAPP
2:00 - 2:10PM Break
2:10 - 3:00PM Mural Arts
Brian Campbell & Mat Tomezsko
3:00 - 3:10PM Break
3:10 - 4:00PM Healthcare in America
Paul Offit, MD
JULY 2nd
Location Change: Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine (3500 N. Broad St)
Morning Session:
8:30 - 8:45AM Updates/Announcements
8:45 - 9:45AM Refugee Health In Philadelphia
Mark Altshuler, MD
9:45 - 10:00AM Break
10:00 - 11:00AM A Progressive View of Harm Reduction: Harm Reduction in HIV/AIDS, The Overdose Epidemic and The Hospital and Clinic
Brian Work, MD MPH
11:00 - 12:00PM Small Groups
Afternoon Session:
COMPONENT PROGRAM: See your Program Director for details on your school’s afternoon component schedule
JULY 9th
Drexel University (60 N. 36th Street)
Morning Session:
8:30 - 8:45AM Updates/Announcements
8:45 - 10:45AM The Power of Resilience-based, Trauma-Sensitive, Strength Focused Communication in Working with Youth
Kenneth Ginsburg, MD, MS Ed
10:45 - 11:00AM Break
11:00 - 12:00PM Small Groups
Afternoon Session:
COMPONENT PROGRAM: See your Program Director for details on your school’s afternoon component schedule
JULY 16th
University of Pennsylvania (421 Curie Blvd, BRB II/III Auditorium)
Morning Session:
8:30 - 8:45AM Updates/Announcements
8:45 - 10:45AM Screening of The Road to Justice
followed by a conversation with Executive Producer, André Robert Lee
10:45 - 11:00AM Break
11:00 - 12:00PM Small Groups
Afternoon Session:
COMPONENT PROGRAM: See your Program Director for details on your school’s afternoon component schedule
July 23rd
Drexel University (60 N. 36th Street)
Morning Session:
8:30 - 8:45AM Updates/Announcements
8:45 - 9:45AM Reproductive Rights
Kim Mutcherson, JD
9:45 - 10:00AM Break
10:00 - 11:00AM What to know about Medicaid and how to be a Medicaid advocate
Giridhar Mallya, MD, MSHP
11:00 - 12:00PM Small Groups
Afternoon Session:
COMPONENT PROGRAM: See your Program Director for details on your school’s afternoon component schedule
JULY 30th
Morning Session:
Component Programs: See your Program Director for details on your school’s schedule.
Afternoon Session:
Cherry Street Pier (121 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd.)
11:45AM - 4:00PM Walls for Justice
Meet at the front of Cherry Street Pier
121 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Wear clothes for art activities
Complete and Submit: Final BTG Evaluations and Questionnaires / Team Experience Summaries / Poster Presentation /Final Paper
FALL 2025: BTG 35th Symposium
October 7, 2025, 7:15AM - 12:00PM
College of Physicians of Philadelphia (19 S. 22nd Street)
Students will present their BTG projects in a professional format, details TBD.
Ask your PD about the afternoon Symposium event with alumni, community partners, grantmakers, and other BTG stakeholders from 12PM - 6PM.
Students are also welcome to join us (but not required) the night before,
October 6, 2025 from 5pm-9pm for the screening of our BTG Documentary.
