BTG Hope

"The BTG Program provides needed resources to the many thousands of community-based organizations that are working to create a more socially just and compassionate world. Because of their support, many nonprofits are able to reach and enrich the lives of many more people."

BTG Community Preceptor

Philadelphia Consortium Projects

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

A Helping Hand for the Homeless: Promoting Good Health and Welfare

Student Intern(s):
Kimberly Jordan, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College
Richard Adam Kellis, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College

Academic Preceptor(s):
George Valko, MD, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College

Community Preceptor(s):
Kate Colameco, BSW, Bethesda Project, My Brother’s House

The Community Site:
My Brother’s House, a component program of the Bethesda Project, is a safe-haven shelter for formerly homeless men who battle mental illness and drug addiction. View Community Partner Web Site

Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Mental Health; Substance Abuse; Tobacco Use
Focus Areas: Access to Quality Health Services; Diabetes; Heart Disease and Stroke; Mental Health and Mental Disorders; Substance Abuse

The Project:
Kim and Adam collaborated with the social worker in providing services for the men residing at My Brother’s House. They assisted the residents in obtaining health insurance and welfare benefits, helped schedule health-care appointments, and served as advocates by accompanying residents to appointments. Engaging the residents in sharing their social histories and recording these histories was helpful to the social worker in care coordination. Kim and Adam also facilitated discussions on health topics, including cardiovascular health, diabetes and nutrition. In addition, they assisted in planning and coordinating recreational activities with the men, such as playing games, attending movies and playing miniature golf. Kim said, “In medical school, I learn how to take care of patients from a medical provider perspective, but here at My Brother’s House I have learned how to take care of patients from a patient’s perspective. While serving as a health advocate for the residents, I have learned so much about the inner workings of America’s complicated health-care system.” Adam also said that the men at My Brother’s House taught him “many valuable lessons about our health-care system … especially from the view of patients that are often ignored.” He continued, “I come away from this experience feeling more aware and ready to advocate from the patient’s perspective and to keep in mind that it might not always be easy for a person of lesser means to follow health-care instructions and find proper care for their health-care needs.”

Healthy Choices: Promoting Positive Well-Being Among Mental Health Consumers

Student Intern(s):
Kathryn Beldowski, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College
Ian Hayden, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College
Stephanie Shinmachi, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Rebecca Weinstein, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice

Academic Preceptor(s):
Jeffrey Draine, PhD, University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice
Joan I. Gluch, PhD, RDH, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Maria Hervada-Page, MSS, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College

Community Preceptor(s):
Marvin Elias, PhD, The Consortium, Inc., Chestnut Place Clubhouse
Karen DiTrolio, MPA, The Consortium, Inc., PRIDE Partial Hospital Program

The Community Site:
The Consortium’s Chestnut Place Clubhouse and PRIDE program provide mental health services for adult members of the West Philadelphia community. The Clubhouse provides a space to improve vocational skills and interaction, and to work towards a more independent lifestyle. The PRIDE program is a day treatment program designed to meet the needs of adults with disabling mental illness, as well as drug addiction or mental retardation. View Community Partner Web Site

Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Mental Health; Overweight and Obesity; Substance Abuse
Focus Areas: Diabetes; Heart Disease and Stroke; Nutrition and Overweight; Oral Health; Physical Activity and Fitness

The Project:
Kathryn, Ian, Stephanie and Rebecca encouraged healthy living habits through various activities and presentations at two of the Consortium sites. At the Chestnut Place Clubhouse, the interns created and facilitated Healthy Choices Support Groups, which discussed health issues, including nutrition and exercise, smoking cessation, and chronic illnesses. Group members were able to articulate and work towards their individual and group goals in this open and supportive forum. The interns also led presentations focusing on cardiovascular health and oral hygiene, and initiated a lunchtime walk and stretching sessions. At the Partial Hospital PRIDE program, the interns designed creative and interactive group activities to alert clients of the signs and symptoms of prevalent chronic and acute diseases, and to educate them on nutrition, exercise, and oral health. Kathryn noted, “Each intern came from a different health discipline and brought a unique perspective to this experience. We learned from each other and worked together to create meaningful programs for the members of the Consortium.” Ian said, “Time spent at the Chestnut Place Clubhouse and Partial Hospital PRIDE program allowed me to develop a profound understanding of the many barriers people with mental illness face, including access to and understanding of current health-care practices … The support, insight and candor of my fellow BTG students was invaluable, as was the opportunity to work closely with people from various disciplines towards a common goal.” Stephanie remarked, “I worked with psychiatric patients to increase their well-being and health knowledge … I treasure my experience working with this population … that is usually discriminated against and ignored by society.” Rebecca reflected, “I have gained a deeper understanding of the strengths, needs, and obstacles facing members of the mental health community … I also appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with students in other health disciplines, and utilize our different perspectives to communicate and promote health awareness in our placement settings.”

Health Education and Exercise in a Recovery Program

Student Intern(s):
Jean Bakey, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kyle Gehres, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Academic Preceptor(s):
Eugene Mochan, PhD, DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Community Preceptor(s):
Margie Thompson-Craddock, MHS, Gaudenzia, People with Hope Program

The Community Site:
Gaudenzia’s People with Hope is a residential program for up to 23 HIV symptomatic adults with substance abuse issues. The program focuses mainly on substance abuse recovery and management of disease. View Community Partner Web Site

Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Overweight and Obesity; Physical Activity; Substance Abuse
Focus Areas: Diabetes; HIV; Physical Activity and Fitness; Substance Abuse; Heart Disease and Stroke

The Project:
Jean and Kyle assisted the People with Hope staff in the daily program activities, and designed a fitness and health education program for the program residents. The fitness program was varied to meet the specific fitness needs of the individual residents. The activities included exercise videos, aerobic classes, walks to the park, stretching, yoga-style movements and maneuvers in a reclined position. Walking to the park was the most successful form of exercise, as it involved everyone. To supplement the exercise program, the interns presented classes and had individual discussions on HIV status, coping with HIV, smoking cessation, diabetes, stress and nutrition. Kyle stated, “Prior to this summer, I had little understanding of addiction and the various struggles related to HIV … There is no question that I will forever think of addiction and HIV differently.” Jean noted, “I hope that I will be able to give back to the HIV and addiction communities in my future endeavors as I am forever indebted to the knowledge about the struggles of addiction and HIV that they have given me.”

Helping Our Troops Back in Duty

Student Intern(s):
Jason Arora, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
MarKeith Patterson, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Department of Physical Therapy

Academic Preceptor(s):
Eugene Mochan, PhD, DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Ruth Schemm, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

Community Preceptor(s):
Nancy Kincaid, RN, MA, Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center
James Murphy, Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center

The Community Site:
The Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center (PVMSEC), located in Old City, provides counseling, job training and placement, and housing placement for homeless veterans.View Community Partner Web Site

Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Physical Activity; Responsible Sexual Behavior; Tobacco Use
Focus Areas: Cancer; Diabetes; Oral Health; Physical Activity and Fitness; Tobacco Use

The Project:
Jason and MarKeith, working with the staff and veterans, designed a program to address healthy lifestyle issues. The health education program was initiated with the topics of safe sex and full body hygiene. This was followed by other relevant health issues such as oral health, which focused on proper brushing, flossing, and rinsing techniques, and diseases of the mouth. Mental health sessions focused on coping with stress, utilizing exercise, stretching and yoga. All sessions were interactive and the veterans had a chance to share their experiences and ask questions. Jason learned about a group he had never interacted with before, “which was a real eye-opener,” he said. He continued, “I think this experience has made me a lot better human being.” MarKeith noted, “Working with the vets at PVMSEC has really enlightened me not to pass judgments on people based on looks and stereotypes.”

Educating Women About Resources to Help Enhance Their Physical and Mental Health

Student Intern(s):
Yekaterina Belousov, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Anuja Mohla, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Academic Preceptor(s):
Eugene Mochan, PhD, DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Community Preceptor(s):
Stacy Skiffer, New Directions for Women

The Community Site:
New Directions for Women, located in Northwest Philadelphia, is a residential facility that provides a one-year program for women who have been convicted of minor offenses. View Community Partner Web Site

Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Tobacco Use; Responsible Sexual Behavior; Injury and Violence
Focus Areas: Heart Disease and Stroke; Injury and Violence Prevention; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Tobacco Use; Mental Health and Mental Disorders

The Project:
Yekaterina and Anuja served as health-care coordinators and educators for the women at New Directions. The interns designed workshops on a wide range of topics, including sexually transmitted diseases, cardiovascular health, blood pressure screening, nutrition, oral health, smoking cessation and personal journal writing. The interns also invited community health organizations to discuss various topics pertinent to the client population at New Directions. Such presentations included coping mechanisms for domestic abuse and rape victims, discovering the authentic self, contraception, breast self-exams, self-defense, and career development. Yekaterina noted, “I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to work with the women at New Directions … My partner and I stayed positive and were persistent in working to establish a relationship with every one of the ladies; and our efforts paid off.” Anuja said, “Most importantly, I realized the importance of affection, care, service, perseverance and determination required to work with any population suffering from a sense of hopelessness and helplessness.”

Healthy Teeth, Hearts, and Lives: Promoting Health in an Early-Intervention Setting

Student Intern(s):
Gregory Bocash, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Noah McKittrick, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine

Academic Preceptor(s):
Joan I. Gluch, PhD, RDH, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Joanne N. Wood, MD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Community Preceptor(s):
Nicholas Bisaccia, MSEd, Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, Therapeutic Nursery

The Community Site:
The Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC) Therapeutic Nursery, located in Center City Philadelphia, is a structured full-day preschool program for children aged 2 ½ to 5 years. View Community Partner Web Site

Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Physical Activity; Overweight and Obesity; Access to Health Care
Focus Areas: Access to Quality Health Services; Nutrition and Overweight; Oral Health; Physical Activity and Fitness

The Project:
In addition to supporting teachers in their daily activities, Gregory and Noah identified oral health, cardiovascular health and public safety as the main components of their health promotion activities for the youth at the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center. The interns emphasized the impact of good oral health on early childhood development and provided resources for the youth to access oral health services. The interns promoted heart health by encouraging exercise and healthy nutrition. In addition, they provided resources to educate staff and parents about public safety. Gregory noted, “Through this experience, I have learned the intricate nature of interacting with children, and, through this, the benefits of treating patients specific to their individuality rather than following the typical algorithmic process of diagnosing health disparities.” Noah commented, “Overall, I would describe my experience at CCTC as a tremendous learning experience … I believe that the most challenging experiences are also the most rewarding, because it is only once you have been pushed out of your comfort zone that you're able to learn and grow.”

Behavior Modification to Promote Well-Being

Student Intern(s):
Brian Levins, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine
Alexandra Solomon, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Avraham Weiner, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine

Community Preceptor(s):
Paul Giannette, MA, Hall Mercer, Child and Family Unit

Academic Preceptor(s):
Joan I. Gluch, PhD, RDH, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Ann L. O’Sullivan, PhD, FAAN, CPNP, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Noel B. Rosales, MD, University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine

The Community Site:
Hall Mercer Child and Family Unit, located at Pennsylvania Hospital, provides outpatient services for children under age 18. View Community Partner Web Site

Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Mental Health; Overweight and Obesity; Physical Activity
Focus Areas: Environmental Health; Mental Health and Mental Disabilities; Nutrition and Overweight; Oral Health; Physical Activity and Fitness

The Project:
Brian, Allie and Avi assisted the staff of the Child and Family Unit’s therapeutic summer camp in implementing their education program. In addition, the interns designed health education sessions for the children. For these sessions, the interns focused on oral health, safety and injury prevention, nutrition, and cardiovascular health. Brian noted, “These bonds allowed me to more effectively reach out and educate … whether teaching about the cardiovascular system, practicing numbers or the alphabet … these past seven weeks have certainly allowed me to bridge the gap between myself and some of the children of Philadelphia communities.” For Allie, the internship provided “an opportunity to interact with a wide range of young children … and learn more effective communication strategies with the pediatric population.” Avi commented, “My abilities were enhanced by the lectures and programs that I participated in through the core component. They gave me the direction and skill to be a contributing member of the team at my site and thus enhanced my overall summer experience.”

Health Education at Northern Home

Student Intern(s):
Valerie Davis, Temple University, School of Medicine
Jonathan Galli, Temple University, School of Medicine
Lauren Melito, Temple University, College of Health Professions, Department of Physical Therapy
Kamini Patel, Temple University, School of Medicine

Academic Preceptor(s):
Ina Caligaro, PharmD, Temple University, School of Pharmacy

Community Preceptor(s):
Donna Bolno, MEd, MSS, LSW, Northern Home for Children, Partial Hospitalization Program
Kevin Weber, Northern Home for Children, Partial Hospitalization Program

The Community Site:
Northern Home for Children is a facility that provides foster care placement, family therapy and school-based services to children and their families. The after school partial hospitalization program is designed for socially or emotionally troubled boys aged 8 to 14. View Community Partner Web Site

Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Injury and Violence; Overweight and Obesity; Physical Activity
Focus Areas: Food Safety; Heart Disease and Stroke; Injury and Violence Prevention; Nutrition and Overweight; Oral Health; Physical Activity and Fitness

The Project:
Valerie, Jonathan, Lauren and Kamini assisted the staff in daily tutoring sessions. To further complement the youth’s academic development, they held career planning, goal setting and study skills workshops. They also designed weekly lessons addressing cardiovascular health, nutrition, oral hygiene, physical activity and general hygiene. In addition, they conducted special activities, such as healthy cooking classes and physical fitness activities, which included Tae Kwan Do. Valerie reported, “I have learned a great deal about the problems facing members of the community … and will be able to apply the knowledge I have gained to become a more understanding and less judgmental physician.” Kamini said, “The internship as a whole made me recognize the challenges to obtaining quality health care in Philadelphia, and what we can do as future health professionals to help provide solutions for these challenges.” Jon said, “The spirit and energy of the children at the camp challenged me daily, and as I tried to leave my imprint on them they surely did the same to me. These lessons in patience, respect, compassion, and duty to the community will stick with me as I continue my journey.” Lauren reflected, “The BTG experience has given me an opportunity to increase my awareness of the various community programs and assets located throughout the Philadelphia area … This experience gave me more insight into various physical and social problems children are faced with today.”

BTG 20th Anniversary Tribute

"My internship … has affected me deeply. I have learned about the complexities of substance abuse and the struggles women face to remain clean. Working with a student from a discipline other than my own has helped me to view health issues from another perspective."

BTG Student Intern

What BTG Means to Us