Pittsburgh Projects
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Breaking the Barriers: An Access Guide to Medical Resources and Social Services for the Latino Community in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Student Intern(s):
Christine Rauscher, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine
Lindsay Walker, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health
Academic Preceptor(s):
Patricia Documét, MD, DrPH, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health
Community Preceptor(s):
Sr. Janice Vanderneck, CSJ, Latino Community Social Services
Claudia Bazán-Arias, Latino Community Social Services The Community Site:
Latino Community Social Services, located in Oakland, Pittsburgh, assists individuals in securing legal and social services and provides translation services for medical appointments.
Health People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Access to Health Care; Mental Health; Responsible Sexual Behavior
Focus Areas: Access to Quality Health Services; Maternal, Infant and Child Health; Mental Health and Mental Disorders; Oral Health; Sexually Transmitted Diseases
The Project:
Lindsay and Christine assisted the Latino Community Social Services staff in providing clients with translation services and access to medical and social services. The interns also created a bilingual resource guidebook to serve Latino individuals and families seeking medical care and social services. Lindsay commented, “Through this experience, I have become a far more effective advocate for equality in health-care, immigration reform, justice and human rights.” Christine noted, “It was humbling to work closely with the clients and experience the frustrations they were going through. It truly has been an invaluable experience.”
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CHS: A Model for Recovery
Student Intern(s):
Kyle Bahnsen, University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing
Miranda Spiro, University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work
Academic Preceptor(s):
Ann Mitchell, PhD, RN, HNC, University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing
Community Preceptor(s):
Ruth Fox, LPN, Community Human Services Corporation, Supported Housing
Don McMillan, BA, Community Human Services Corporation, Supported Housing The Community Site:
Community Human Services Corporation (CHS), located in South Oakland, Pittsburgh, seeks to enhance people’s lives and strengthen communities by providing opportunities to develop individual potential and by delivering comprehensive services that maximize health and well-being. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Mental Health; Overweight and Obesity; Physical Activity
Focus Areas: Mental Health and Mental Disorders; Nutrition and Overweight; Oral Health; Physical Activity and Fitness; Tobacco Use
The Project:
Kyle and Miranda assisted the Community Human Services mental health residence staff in promoting health and wellness through a series of workshops. To supplement the workshops, the interns interviewed the residents and created a documentary video highlighting the recovery process. Kyle said,“BTG has challenged me to use knowledge from academia … It gave me new insights to other people’s everyday realities and changed my perspectives on how to work in the community.” Miranda reflected, “I am thankful for the consumers and staff … They helped me to learn more about mental health … I saw firsthand how community-based agencies can successfully improve the lives of mental health consumers.”
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Fit and Healthy Children: A Guide for the First Three Years
Student Intern(s):
Alexis Helsel, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health
Zack Snyder, University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy
Academic Preceptor(s):
Joanne Malenock, PhD, RD, University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing
Community Preceptor(s):
Debra Gallagher, Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center, Early Head Start Program
Celeste Stephenson, Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center, Early Head Start Program The Community Site:
Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center (COTRAIC) Early Head Start Program provides child development and family support services for low-income families with children from birth to age 3. The organization also provides support for pregnant women and the families of children with special needs. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Physical Activity; Overweight and Obesity
Focus Areas: Maternal, Infant and Child Health; Nutrition and Overweight; Oral Health; Physical Activity and Fitness
The Project:
Alexis and Zack accompanied the Early Head Start staff on home visits and participated in socializations and field trips. The interns created a handbook of newsletters for the staff to distribute to families. Alexis noted, “This experience has really opened my eyes to the underlying issues that impact the health choices made by families living in poverty. I have had the opportunity to meet the people and listen to the stories that shape the numbers and health statistics we are taught to analyze in class.” Zack stated, “The BTG internship with Early Head Start gave me a valuable perspective on the daily struggles and obstacles faced by local families living in poverty and trying to raise children.”
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Get Up and Move! A Youth-Driven Health Education Curriculum
Student Intern(s):
Andrew Leuenberger, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine
Lauren Hall, University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy
Academic Preceptor(s):
Michael Yonas, DrPH, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine
Mary Nowalk, PhD, RD, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine
Community Preceptor(s):
Andrea Arrington, MPH, Braddock Youth Project The Community Site:
The Braddock Summer Youth Project (BSYP), located on the Monongahela River, is a summer employment program for youth aged 14 to 18 that provides opportunities to restore Braddock through creative service and team-building educational modules.
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Responsible Sexual Behavior; Mental Health; Environmental Quality
Focus Areas: Educational and Community-Based Programs; Mental Health and Mental Disorders; Oral Health; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Environmental Health
The Project:
Andy and Lauren created a highly interactive youth-driven health education curriculum as a supplement to the long-term employability skills promoted by other modules of Braddock Summer Youth Project. Andrew noted, “I was profoundly encouraged by my summer of learning and observing … this community and, most of all, its future leaders instructed me as they lived lessons in resolve and stories of expectation.” Lauren commented, “BTG has opened my eyes to the huge health disparities individuals face every day and has inspired me to advocate for the underserved in my future profession in order to become the best practitioner I can be.”
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Healthy Choices on the Road to Recovery
Student Intern(s):
Ashley O’Hara, University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work
Anderson Tesfazion, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health
Academic Preceptor(s):
Jo Schlesinger, MEd, University of Pittsburgh, School of Education
Community Preceptor(s):
Sharon Jones, BS, CAC, CCDP, Sojourner House
Karen Garland, FESS, Sojourner House
The Community Site:
Sojourner House, located in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of East Liberty, is a community and faith-based organization working to break the intergenerational cycle of addiction for mothers and their children. View Community Partner Web Site
Health People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Substance Abuse; Overweight and Obesity; Physical Activity
Focus Areas: Nutrition and Overweight; Physical Activity and Fitness; Health Communication; Oral Health; Substance Abuse
The Project:
To address needs identified by the staff and women of Sojourner House, Ashley and Andy developed a cookbook and a booklet on exercise, weight gain and self-esteem. Ashley stated, “This experience has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to need financial assistance, be a single mother and in recovery … I am grateful that I had this opportunity, it has taught me more than any textbook or class ever could.” Anderson stated, “I never really appreciated the severity of addiction; it was not until I met these women that I truly saw addiction for the terrible disease that it is. In addition, I observed the hardships that single impoverished mothers endure daily … This really gave me a firsthand look at what it means to live under the poverty level. Lastly, I took away a sense of hope from my experience that recovery can be achieved.”
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Reducing Negative Effects of Domestic Violence Through Holistic Intervention
Student Intern(s):
Bethany Petrik, University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy
Krystal Hammar, University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work
Academic Preceptor(s):
Tammy Thomas, MSW, MPH, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health
Community Preceptor(s):
Ellen Witkowski, Womansplace
Nick Hartman, Womansplace
The Community Site:
Located in the city of McKeesport, Womansplace provides a wide spectrum of services both on-site and in the community. Programs include legal, medical and child advocacy, shelter stay, and community outreach. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Mental Health; Injury and Violence
Focus Areas: Educational and Community-Based Programs; Maternal, Infant and Child Health; Mental Health and Mental Disorders; Oral Health; Substance Abuse
The Project:
Beth and Krystal assessed and evaluated the materials used for domestic violence and related issues workshops. They focused on the following areas to improve the workshops: presentation style, accessibility, the material’s relevance and the capacity for engagement. Bethany said, “By participating in BTG I have had the opportunity to learn about and interact with individuals affected by domestic violence.” Krystal stated, “The time we were able to spend interacting with shelter residents and other Womansplace clients added substantially to the practice wisdom and cultural competence I have and hope to continue developing throughout my professional life.”
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Resources for Recovery
Student Intern(s):
Breanna Jay, University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work
Academic Preceptor(s):
Sharon E. Connor, PharmD, University of Pittsburgh
Community Preceptor(s):
Theresa Chalich, RN, MPH, Bethlehem Haven, 902 Mental Health Clinic The Community Site:
Bethlehem Haven, located in Uptown (Pittsburgh), provides a number of comprehensive programs, including an emergency shelter, transitional housing programs, permanent supportive housing programs, a health and wellness center with clinics, an employment training program, and the 902 mental health clinic. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Mental Health; Substance Abuse; Access to Health Care
Focus Areas: Access to Quality Health Services; Health Communication; Mental Health and Mental Disorders; Oral Health; Substance Abuse
The Project:
Breanna worked with the staff in Bethlehem Haven’s A Step Up Program designed for women in drug and alcohol recovery. Breanna’s project focused on engaging the women in photography and then creating the “Resources for Recovery” book to serve as a form of support for the women. Breanna reflected, “My time at Bethlehem Haven has been insightful and inspiring … With the aid of my amazing community mentor, I was able to … have a much better understanding of the intersection of poverty, mental health, poor access to services, and the housing crises. I have also gained an intimate understanding of the process of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.”
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Teen Oasis: Promoting A Safe Environment For a Healthier Lifestyle
Student Intern(s):
Vicky Cardoza, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health
Sean McGuire, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine
Academic Preceptor(s):
Martha Ann Terry, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health
Community Preceptor(s):
Tom Baker, BS Ed, Health Teens, Inc., Teen Oasis
Jeanne Lewis, BS Ed, Health Teens, Inc., Teen Oasis The Community Site:
Teen Oasis, sponsored by Health Teens, Inc., provides programs in a drug-free and violence-free environment for teens aged 13 to 18 living in the Monroeville and Pitcairn areas. View Community Partner Web Site
Health People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Physical Activity; Mental Health; Tobacco Use
Focus Areas: Educational and Community-Based Programs; Health Communication; Injury and Violence Prevention; Physical Activity and Fitness; Oral Health
The Project:
Vicky and Sean developed a multifaceted approach that included generating two informational brochures, individually tailored to parents and teens; upgrading the storefront sign to a larger version designed by Teen Oasis members; utilizing the center’s van for mobile advertising; and creating and administering a teen survey intended to aid the center in adapting to the needs and wants of the adolescent community. Sean commented, “Learning to effectively communicate casually with teenagers will substantially improve my ability to pass on information to teens in a medical setting. I gained a deeper understanding of the personal realities that influence one’s medical, social, and mental well-being.” Vicky reported that as a BTG intern, she has been able “to learn more about youth—their likes, dislikes, as well as their wants and needs.”
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Encouraging Good Health by Word of Mouth: Spreading the Oral Health Message
Student Intern(s):
Julia Batres, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Academic Preceptor(s):
Richard Rubin, DDS, MPH, Dental Public Health and Information Management
The Community Sites:
Braddock Youth Project, Teen Oasis, Sojourner House, Community Human Services, Latino Community Social Services, and Early Head Start (COTRAIC)
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Overweight and Obesity; Tobacco Use; Injury; Access to Health Care; Oral Health
Focus Areas: Educational and Community-Based Programs; Maternal Infant and Child Health; Oral Health
The Project:
Julia served as the dental student consultant to BTG interns and their respective agencies. Julia met with interns to discuss oral health issues and designed site-appropriate oral health promotion modules. Julia remarked, “I quickly learned that everyone I met was interested, receptive, and concerned with their oral health and its association with their overall health.”
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