Penn Medicine CARES | 2018 Grant Recipients

GRANT 2018

Grant Recipients

Each day, beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics, Penn Medicine staff are volunteering to serve our community. The projects detailed in this book provide a snapshot of the inspired efforts of Penn Medicine physicians, nurses, staff, and students who devote their time and talents to the communities Penn Medicine serves throughout our region – from metropolitan Philadelphia to rural Lancaster and Chester counties to the suburbs and shore communities of Southern New Jersey. As you’ll see, the creativity driving these programs allows our community efforts to improve quality of life in countless ways and across the lifespan of everyone in our community, from newborn babies to elderly neighbors.

Penn Medicine is proud to have supported each of these projects through our Penn Medicine CAREs grant program, which we launched in 2011 as a way to give back to our community and to recognize and amplify employee volunteerism. The CAREs grant program is open to every Penn Medicine employee who seek to address a community health need. Grants are awarded through a competitive application process based on the quality of the program, the needs of the community it aims to assist, and the potential overall impact of the project.

In many ways, Penn Medicine faculty, staff, and students are our best connection to the community and uniquely suited to be of service – many are community members themselves and have established relationships or personally cared for their neighbors. Many have tirelessly responded to the needs of the sick and underserved in innovative ways, often using their own funds, selflessly dedicating their time and talents. Since its inception six years ago, the CAREs grant program has funded over 400 community projects. This year’s recipients further highlight the dedication and passion of members of the Penn Medicine family – their work encourages and inspires us to continue our mission to eradicate health disparities, improve health education and awareness, and promote healthy practices that support the well-being of our communities.

If you would like to learn more about the Penn Medicine CAREs grant program, please contact our office of Community Relations at (215) 349-5408 or visit PennMedicine.org/Community.

Ralph W. Muller Chief Executive Officer University of Pennsylvania Health System 1

Summer 2018 AzerbAijAni AmericAn medicAl ASSociAtion

Feredun Azari, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Feredun, a surgical resident, will use the funding to host a monthly screening for blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors through the nonprofit he leads, Azerbaijani American Medical Association. The target group is residents from the former Soviet republics. Because they often have distrust of the medical system and continued belief in alternative medicine, their risk of hypertension is increased. The organization includes members who speak fluent Russian, Turkish, and Azerbaijani, necessary for educating the patients. Funds are used to purchase blood pressure monitors and to create educational videos.

cAmden Street miniStry

Cordelia Baffic, Perelman School of Medicine For more than 30 years, the Camden Street Ministry has provided food, clothing, and shelter for people living on the city’s streets. Every Saturday, the needy can go to two of the ministry’s trucks, filled with donations of clothing and food, that are parked in empty lots. The ministry does not receive government grants. Cordelia’s funds are used to purchase hot dogs, hamburgers, and the like.

rebuilding together PhilAdelPhiA Kim Bistrong, Home Care and Hospice

A house leader for Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, Kim has worked to form a collaboration between RTP and Penn’s Home Care and Hospice Services and volunteers from any other Penn Medicine area. RTP provides free home repairs for low-income Philadelphia homeowners, with a focus on reducing safety hazards. Funding goes to purchase new vinyl flooring, grab bars, shower chairs, and stair railings and to remove old carpets.

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eAt SmArt, be SmArt

RaSean Booker, Corporate RaSean is directing his funds to enhance a cooking class and mealpreparation program, West Phillie Produce, by including recipe cards in the produce boxes that are currently delivered to residents. In addition, funding will be used to acquire bicycles or equip existing bicycles for delivering the food boxes in an eco-friendly way instead of driving them.

The program also encourages multigenerational conversations about nutrition, developing mentoring relationships, and maintaining economic stability through goods and services.

elizA Shirley houSe

Arlene Brackett, Clinical Practices of University of Pennsylvania The Eliza Shirley House, an emergency center in Philadelphia’s Center City run by the Salvation Army, cares for homeless single women and families.

Arlene is especially drawn to the programs offered to help the women restore and rebuild their lives. Through her funding, she seeks to establish an ongoing resource for the shelter, providing towels and washcloths, simple things that others may take for granted.

Forever young miniStry

Kevin Byrd, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Kevin’s church in Northeast Philadelphia, Bethel Deliverance Church, has already purchased the lot adjacent to its property to give community kids a safe place to play. Funds from Kevin’s grant will assist his church to encourage physical activity in children and help reduce obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Specifically, funding is used to buy sports uniforms and equipment for youth basketball and soccer teams, as well as food and water and an AED machine in case of emergencies. In addition, it supports health literature for a family/community health fair, partnering with Penn Medicine programs.

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mentoring Future heAlth ProFeSSionAlS Amira Clemens, Good Shepherd Penn Partners

Amira is using her funding to cover the costs of uniforms, books, clearances, and other needed supplies for minority students from Philadelphia who are interested in a technical health career but cannot afford the tuition costs at other institutions. Working through the Cultural Institute of Health & Education, Inc., a nonprofit Amira helped to found, she and her partners aim to provide a structured and mentored introduction to health care. The pilot program is recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a vocational program, and graduates will be eligible to sit for the Certified Patient Care Technician exam.

heimlich heroeS

Sara Cohen, Pennsylvania Hospital According to Injury Facts 2017, choking is the fourth-leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States. In addition, for every choking-related death, an estimated 110 children are treated in hospital emergency departments for non-fatal choking. Given these statistics, Sara, a clinical nurse education specialist, is using her funding to help her teach the Heimlich maneuver to students in Philadelphia public schools. A crucial first step of the teaching helps students to recognize the signs and symptoms of choking.

love, chelSeA

Cheryl Cunard, Pennsylvania Hospital Cheryl’s project was started in memory of her daughter, Chelsea, who passed away at age 28. Cheryl works directly with two organizations at this time: the Morris Home, which provides a recovery-oriented environment for individuals in transition from one gender to another, and Prevention Point, whose mission is to promote health, empowerment, and safety for communities affected by drug use and poverty. Cheryl collects donations of clothing, shoes, toiletries, etc., for both organizations.

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mAnnA miSSion

Arlene Erwin, Home Care and Hospice Every Wednesday, Arlene’s Southwest Philadelphia Resurrection Community Church offers food for families that are struggling to make ends meet. Her funding helps to buy more of the necessary food and toiletries for those who aren’t able to prepare a home-cooked meal. The ministry seeks to improve community health and provide a sense of caring.

SebAStiAn riding ASSociAtion

Polina Fenik, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Polina has been a volunteer at Sebastian Riding Association, a nonprofit equine therapy center in Collegeville, PA. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals living with physical, mental health, and intellectual disabilities, and roughly one-third of its population is on the autism spectrum. Polina’s funding helps pay for the necessary training the staff needs for the association to become an Autism Certified Center.

emergency dePArtment diSchArge reScue medicAtionS John Flamma, Penn Presbyterian

John is chief of PPMC’s Emergency Department, which serves as a safety net for the communities of west and southwest Philadelphia. He requested funding to purchase generic medications for vulnerable patients in the ED who are not able to afford them. When made available for the patients, these medications for infections, blood pressure, and diabetes management would reduce complications and readmissions. Patients are then directed to resources that enable them to purchase the medications in the future.

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Flu vAccineS For the homeleSS

Darren Girardeau, Chester County Hospital The greater West Chester area has a sizable homeless population, and the patients in the local homeless shelters are at higher risk of contracting and disseminating influenza. Darren’s funding goes to supply flu vaccines for the CCH emergency department, where he serves as director. He voluntarily leads the project while ED nurses voluntarily administer the vaccines. The emergency department donates the supplies needed to administer the vaccines.

unity heAlth clinic

Yoonhee Ha, Perelman School of Medicine Located inside St. Edmond’s Church in South Philadelphia, Unity Health Clinic is staffed by volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, and health professional trainees from the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, and Temple University who provide culturally competent medical care free to approximately 45 uninsured and underinsured adults every week. Yoonhee’s funding goes toward establishing a patient education video program that can be shown to patients and their families at the point of care. In addition, the grant helps cover subscription costs for upgrading the clinic’s electronic health record system.

Project reborn: uSA, We cAre

Jamel Harvey, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Project ReBorn USA seeks to assist young adults, ages 18-24, who are no longer in foster care programs, by providing interim transitional housing and skills training. The goal is to help them become more liberated, independent individuals. The organization provides CARE bags filled with necessities, from toothbrushes to canned meat. In collaboration with Chosen 300, it also plans to give out coats and school supplies.

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the PhilAdelPhiA Project

Deirdre Knight, Home Care and Hospice Deirdre volunteers with the Philadelphia Project, which provides free home repairs for under-resourced families in Northwest Philadelphia. Her grant is intended to renovate a barely functioning bathroom in the home of a multi-generational family. The funding goes to supplies (such as fixtures, tiles, and wallboard), while all labor is provided free by volunteers.

dAnce For heAlth

Terri Lipman, Perelman School of Medicine Terri, assistant dean for Community Engagement for Penn’s School of Nursing and professor of Pediatric Nursing for Perelman School of Medicine, directs her funds to support the Dance for Health program at the Sayre Recreation Center, where some 600 people, ages 6 to 91, have participated over the last six years. The goal is to provide a free, accessible program of physical activity for youth and their families. In addition, the program provides a community engagement site for Penn medical and nurse practitioner students who mentor local high-school students to obtain data on outcomes and furthers efforts to reduce chronic disorders like obesity and type 2 diabetes.

dermAtology cAre For hiv PAtientS

Jules Lipoff, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania A professor of dermatology, Jules established a dermatology clinic with dedicated slots for patients with HIV/AIDS or other forms of immunosuppression. With his funding, he seeks to expand the clinic’s reach in the Greater Philadelphia region beyond its established partners one of which is the Jonathan Lax Center - through marketing materials and educational handouts for patients. In addition, the clinic aims to provide assistance for patients’ transportation costs.

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helPhAiti – cAreS globAl reciPient

Michelle Lockett, Good Shepherd Penn Partners The aim of HELP is to make communities of color healthier. Michelle’s funding has gone toward furnishing a clinic in Haiti and for purchasing health-related giveaways for the mission. She and volunteers from HELP (Health Exposure and Longevity Project), including Penn Medicine clinical and ancillary staff, will also provide a two-day health education clinic.

urbAn tree connection

Katherine Madonna, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania Katherine’s funding helps the program continue to produce 8,000 pounds of produce a year for 850 low-income families in West Philadelphia, encouraging healthier meals. In these neighborhoods, eight out of 10 children are overweight, and two out of 10 adults are diabetic. The program hosts more than 50 farm stands a year, which distribute fresh produce to residents at little to no cost. The funding supports a variety of purchases, ranging from seeds and tools to display bins and educational materials.

my SiSterS’ KeePer

Jasmine Miller, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Since 2013, My Sisters’ Keeper has honored more than 20 female young women entering their first year of college. The college years are known as a high-risk time for mental health issues, and studies show that stress and anxiety because of financial problems are even higher for minority female students. To help them, My Sisters’ Keeper provides 4-5 female students each summer with “trunks” to furnish their rooms and to provide such items as bedding, personal/health-care items, and school supplies. At the same time, the students gain access to a network of women professionals for friendship and mentorship.

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Food diStribution

Martjoel Racca, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Martjoel is a deacon at his South Philadelphia church, The Church of Philadelphia, which has an agreement with a local Shoprite store to take produce, baked items, frozen meat, and dairy that is good but cannot be sold by the supermarket. The church then distributes these items in boxes to families in need. Martjoel’s funding is used toward the purchase of items to make the food handling process safer and easier.

glAucomA buS

Rebecca Salowe, Perelman School of Medicine Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in African Americans, and studies show that almost 50% of glaucoma patients are not aware that they have this painless and insidious disease. Recognizing the need to provide African Americans with access to glaucoma screenings, the Ophthalmology department, where Rebecca is a project manager, purchased and equipped a bus and began offering free screenings across Philadelphia at retirement homes, churches, and health fairs. Rebecca’s funding allows the team to meet new needs for the outreach events.

Senior cAre ServiceS

Maureen Stemwede, Princeton Health Senior Care Services is a volunteer program that offers seniors transportation to health-care sites, food shopping, and friendly visits free of charge. In the past, however, the process of scheduling such transportation had been unwieldy and labor-intensive. Maureen’s funding will help the organization automate its process and provide a web-based record-keeping system that will make scheduling easier and centralize and streamline all its functions.

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locuSt lAne riding center

Francine Toth, Chester County Hospital Locust Lane Riding Center is a faith-driven program that provides equine therapy to assist the inner-city children of Coatesville, Pa., and other children who have suffered tragedy or loss in their lives. The Coatesville Area School District makes use of the center for an after-school program, usually 10 children (from grades 1 through 6) per afternoon for 50 children a week, without cost to the families. Francine’s funding goes to repair the van that transports the children; to provide food, snacks, and drinks; and to care for the horses.

hAnd-WAShing FAcility For An elementAry School in mAdAgAScAr – cAreS globAl reciPient Matthew Winterton, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Matthew, a resident physician, has been involved with The Elevatus Foundation, which recently constructed a primary school in Madagascar to provide improved access to education, recreational activities, and nutrition. Among the poorest countries in the world, Madagascar suffers from a paucity of health-care and education resources. Matthew’s funds will be used to construct a hand-washing station to help reduce the spread of communicable disease and to promote essential hygiene.

StreetSide heAlth Project

Brian Work, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania The Streetside Health Project (SHP) was developed by Prevention Point Philadelphia to reduce harm to disenfranchised people. SHP partners with Penn’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health to provide free acute, chronic, and preventive medical care to clients of all backgrounds. It also has a special focus on linking people to medical insurance, primary care, and specialty care. Funding goes toward consumable medical products (such as scalpels and dressings for wound care) and medications like antibiotics and antifungals.

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SPring 2018 lionS club Sight For children

Mardette Alexander, Chester County Hospital Over the years, the Lions Club of Kennett Square has helped 300-400 children who cannot afford eye exams to be tested and receive glasses. The Club has worked with various agencies and doctors, and there is no cost to the families of the children. Mardette’s grant supplements the program’s other fundraising efforts involved in the outreach.

cAmP KeSem

Christina Bach, Corporate Camp Kesem serves both parents who are cancer patients and their children by providing the kids with a free week of summer camp. The local chapter serves 130 children from the Philadelphia area, giving them a break from the stresses associated with cancer and allowing them to connect with other kids experiencing similar difficult home situations. Christina’s grant goes to help fund the camp, which seeks to grow by 20% each year.

bAcK on my Feet to c A diFFerence

Kelly Borges, Perelman School of Medicine Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects more than 53,000 people in Philadelphia, and most are unaware that they are infected. Left untreated, HCV can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer, but recent medical advances make it relatively easy to cure. Back on My Feet (BOMF) is a nationwide organization that partners with urban shelters for the homeless to help them improve their lives. Kelly’s grant links BOMF participants to K. Rajender Reddy and Ethan Weinberg, both doctors at Penn’s Viral Hepatitis Center, for HCV testing. HCV-positive members are provided access to treatment in the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine.

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PhilAdelPhiA houSing Authority/Penn medicine outreAch

Danielle Bosch, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Danielle’s grant supports outreach efforts by the American Heart Association, Penn Medicine, and the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) partnership. Many residents of PHA buildings do not have access to doctors, medications, or healthy lifestyles, and Dr. Paul Mather, a cardiologist, visits the buildings in West Philadelphia and South Philadelphia to provide information, perform free blood-pressure screenings, and discuss healthy lunches and healthy cooking. The funds will also be used to purchase additional portable blood-pressure cuffs.

inFinite WonderS lAdieS teA

Denene Dancey, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania The Ladies Tea, a free outreach event run by Infinite Wonders Ministries, seeks to attract and educate women and girls in the African American community. This year, in conjunction with the Eliza Shirley Women’s Shelter, the event will focus on heart disease. The goal is to provide information about the disease and how it can be prevented. Denene’s grant supports the necessities for the ladies tea for 65 guests.

diAbeteS educAtion At united community clinic Patricia DiVito, Perelman School of Medicine

A previous CAREs grant established the Diabetes Clinic at United Community Clinic (UCC), a free health clinic run by University of Pennsylvania students. Patricia’s grant funds the purchase of diabetes testing kits, teaching supplies, educational handouts, and storage bins for the 16 classes in the year. Each class, which Patricia teaches, discusses a different topic related to the disease, including type 2 diabetes, medications, nutrition, and physical activity.

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olivet bAPtiSt church youth enrichment & tutoring ProgrAm Tereasiayasmeen Ejiogu, Clinical Care Associates

Tereasiayasmeen’s church, Olivet Baptist Church, offers a variety of afterschool programs to provide a nurturing and educational environment, involving 500 volunteers who serve more than 1,500 area children. Her grant goes to programs such as nature hikes and weekly tutoring with healthy snacks (assisted by volunteers from Saint Joseph’s University). Funds would also help with needed building repairs to keep the programs going.

Penn humAn rightS clinic

Kim Firn, Perelman School of Medicine Before survivors of human rights violations can be granted asylum in the United States, they must provide evidence of physical and/or psychological torture. The physicians who evaluate the candidates must be trained to complete such medical-legal affidavits. The Philadelphia Human Rights Clinic serves as a liaison between the nonprofit Physicians for Human Rights, attorneys, and clinicians to facilitate the necessary medical evaluations. Funding is used to train the physicians and provide related materials.

ugo

Gary Ginsberg, Penn Presbyterian A community wellness venture coordinated through People’s Emergency Center, uGO offers free weekly exercise workshops in an outdoor, familyfriendly environment. The target population is families in the West Philadelphia Promise Zone, where rates of heart disease and obesity are high. Private health screenings help monitor weight, blood pressure, and BMI. Gary’s grant is used for outreach materials, and the goal is to increase the number of participants.

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the FirSt tWenty

Jana Goldberg, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Heart disease is the leading cause of on-duty death among firefighters, who deal with occupational stressors like increases in heart rate, heavy lifting, and exposure to smoke. The First Twenty, a nonprofit organization, is a mobile platform organized to improve the physical and mental health of firefighters, police, and veterans. A physician specializing in cardiovascular disease, Jana has directed her grant to support a workshop that introduces servicemen to The First Twenty program and provides screening to identify high-risk individuals.

Senior lecture SerieS At roxborough ymcA Lynne Gramberg, Good Shepherd Penn Partners

Lynne, a lead physical therapist, and her staff have maintained a quarterly lecture series at the Roxborough YMCA, focused on topics that interest the Y’s Active Adult Organization. The lectures provide information on safety in order to prevent falls and injuries and on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension. The grant supports these lectures.

SAving our children

Easter Holmes, Pennsylvania Hospital During Saturdays in the summer, Easter, a member of Truly Love Christ Ministries, uses a small facility in Upper Darby for a bible study and lunch program for children. The funding goes to rent the location and to provide books, food, clothing, and games. Her goal is to keep children off the streets and give parents an opportunity to save money.

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emr@uchc

(Electronic Medical Record at University City Hospitality Clinic)

Mitchell Johnson, Perelman School of Medicine

The objective of The University City Hospitality Clinic’s health clinic is to provide health care and routine health monitoring to the homeless population of West Philadelphia. Its student leadership board is seeking to update the clinic’s record-keeping systems to an electronic record in order to improve the capability for longitudinal tracking and to improve workflow. The grant will fund the purchase of four laptop computers, one for each of the three patient rooms and one at intake.

Food PAntry At FrAnKlinville united methodiSt church

Eleanor Mantel, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Eleanor helps maintain her church’s pantry in Gloucester County, N.J., which provides food and personal hygiene items for children and adults year-round. The pantry has difficulty keeping up with the needs of the families that make use of it, and her grant supplements public donations.

The pantry also assembles food baskets for families in need during the holidays.

Aiden’S “A” teAm!

Ginny McGill, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Aiden’s “A” Team is a nonprofit that seeks to educate, empower, and advocate for the families of children with autism in West Philadelphia.

Ginny’s grant helps the organization to create and furnish a sensory room for autistic children who attend Samuel Gompers Elementary School in the city’s Wynnefield section. In addition to behavioral services, the goal is to make available more programs like music therapy, yoga, and sports.

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boyS to men mentoring

Marc McKinney, Pennsylvania Hospital Marc, who volunteers as a mentor for Boys to Men, requested a grant to fund a retreat for boys, ages 5-11, from Prince Hall Elementary School in North Philadelphia. Most of the boys in the school are fatherless and come from broken homes. The retreat would encourage more bonding with male mentors and help the boys to learn vital life skills like healthy eating, managing finances, grooming and personal care, and CPR training.

Feet oF FAith dAnce comPAny Debra Mosely, Penn Presbyterian

Feet of Faith Dance Company is a nonprofit that provides dance education for low-income children and teens. Debra’s grant supports its back-toschool/back-to-health drive during which children of West Philadelphia will receive bookbags filled with pencils, crayons, books, and folders. The Company will also offer a free zumba class the day of the drive to promote exercise and will distribute pamphlets on healthy snacks and lunch choices.

creAtive reSilience collective mentAl heAlth initiAtive Andrea Ngan, Corporate

Aware that mental health intersects with addiction, homelessness, racial injustice, and incarceration, Andrea has directed her grant to support five storytelling workshops and a large event for health-care recipients and providers to listen and share empowering stories, resources, and information. Funds would support these workshops and the larger event.

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elderS on the move

Rasheda Peoples-Starling, Penn Presbyterian Elders on the Move, an initiative of Acute Care for Elders (ACE) at Penn Presbyterian, provides physical activities to residents at nursing home facilities in West Philadelphia. The target population is persons 65 years old and older. In addition to indoor sports like volleyball and badminton and musical exercises that encourage an active range of motion, the program also brings mind exercises like crossword puzzles and games. The goal is to promote wellness through activities and socializing. Rasheda’s grant goes to purchase equipment and small gifts for the residents.

biKe helmetS For trAumAtic brAin injury Prevention Erika Silverman, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Bicycle-related injuries are a frequent cause of emergency-room visits and hospital admissions in our community. According to the clinicians and researchers in Penn’s TBI Clinical Research Initiative, bicycle helmets offer a low-cost and effective way to prevent head injuries by bike riders.

Erika’s grant supports the purchase of helmets and educational materials, to be handed out at community health fairs in West Philadelphia.

Penn PreSbyteriAn 10th AnnuAl heAlth FAir Melisa Stanton, Penn Presbyterian

The goals of the health fair are to provide the West Philadelphia community with the information and resources to meet their health care needs, as defined by the Community Health Needs Assessment, and to build positive relationships with PPMC. Areas include preventative, primary, and specialty care services, prescription drugs, and dental care.

Melisa’s grant helps pay for expenses related to the fair.

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oromo community heAlth AWAreneSS Mitiku Tolassa, Corporate

Mitiku’s funding is directed to the health educational seminar of the Oromo Community of Pennsylvania. (Oromos identify as being from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.) This year, the topics are nutrition, diabetes, blood pressure, and cancer screening. Funding will be used both for educational materials, and transportation, as well as for blood pressure screening equipment and glucose test kits for diabetes screening.

Penn medicine breASt heAlth initiAtive

Emily Verderame, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania The Penn Medicine Breast Health Initiative provides free breast-cancer screenings and diagnostic services to uninsured and underinsured women in the Philadelphia area. It has also enrolled women diagnosed with breast cancer in insurance coverage and arranged for treatment at the Abramson Cancer Center. Emily’s grant goes toward transportation costs, both via SEPTA and ride-share services.

heAlthy connectionS

Rhonda Whitaker, Pennsylvania Hospital A project of Rhonda’s nondenominational church Carry Me International Missions, Healthy Connections holds health fairs for the surrounding communities. It provides screenings for blood pressure, blood glucose, and height and weight while sharing information about diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. It also directs members of the community to local resources for healthy food and exercise programs. Rhonda’s grant covers costs for equipment and printing.

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bAllroom dAncing For A better you Stephanie Yellin, Clinical Care Associates

A nonprofit based in Glassboro, N.J., Ballroom Dancing for a Better U uses ballroom dancing to bring the benefits of movement, exercise, and dance to physically challenged children, adults with disabilities, seniors, and those with cognitive impairment. Stephanie, a doctor of osteopathy with training in sports medicine, notes that stimulating one’s mind by dancing can help reduce the chances of dementia, increase cognitive acuity at all ages, and promote socialization. Her grant goes to support sending the nonprofit’s instructors to community centers in the county.

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Winter 2018 Feed the homeleSS

Elizabeth Burton, Corporate For the last 25 years, Elizabeth has been feeding the homeless on Thanksgiving Day and on Black Friday. More recently, she also began donating clothes and has been reaching out to families in need of food, clothing, and/or personal items throughout the year. She also seeks to help homeless people who gather under the SEPTA elevated train stops, making it her mission to become involved and be a help with resources and personal issues.

cAmP erin

Colleen Bynum, Penn Presbyterian Camp Erin is a free three-day summer camp that serves youth between 8 and 17 years old who are grieving the death of a parent. The goal is to decrease grief and the risk of depression, suicide, poverty, and substance abuse. Colleen’s grant would send four children to the camp. There they would be helped to develop a set of coping skills, to process their grief in healthy ways, and be able to tell their stories in a safe environment.

SiSterS in Service to ediFy, reStore, & SuPPort

Tarskia Chase, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania Tarskia leads Sisters in Service, a ministry of Beloved St. John Evangelistic Church. The program hosts educational workshops for victims of domestic abuse and helps them to recover and stay healthy. Project support would help to provide emergency shelter and transportation, undergarments, toiletries, food vouchers, counseling, and other basic necessities to help the women toward a new life.

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overdoSe reverSAl trAining

Peter Cronholm, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania As a professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Peter has seen at first hand the ravages of opioid overdoses, which in Philadelphia cause more than twice as many deaths as homicides. He requested support for educational materials and supplies to be used to help train the department’s primary-care residents in approaches to reducing opioid-related harm. The training is done in collaboration with Prevention Point Philadelphia, which is dedicated to social and economic justice for disenfranchised people.

neW choiceS cAreer develoPment ProgrAm Camille Evans, Corporate

A free program of Delaware County Community College, New Choices helps single parents, displaced homemakers, and individuals in transition to improve their economic status and achieve self-sufficiency. For the past 35 years, the program has assisted more than 6,000 participants contribute to their communities by gaining employment and/or enrolling in training.

Camille sought funding to create a student support fund to assist students with transportation, child care, and critical personal expenses.

doctor’S night With Women AgAinSt AbuSe

Jason Han, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Woman Against Abuse is a Philadelphia nonprofit advocacy organization that supports victims of domestic abuse and provides a safe haven to them and their children. About 100 women and children reside there at any given time. Jason, a resident in cardiothoracic surgery, sought support for Doctor’s Night, weekly educational sessions run by Penn volunteers.

Funding would be used for basic health-care supplies, nutrition, triage, transportation, and printing costs for educational pamphlets.

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breAStFeeding reSource center

Jennifer Jones, Perelman School of Medicine The nonprofit center provides lactation support and services to families throughout the Philadelphia region. Although some insurance companies cover lactation services, Medicaid is one that does not, and to help meet the families’ needs, the center provides expert care at a reduced or free rate.

Jennifer’s grant helps subsidize the center’s costs.

bucKS county Women’S Shelter

Emine Karamete, Pennsylvania Hospital Emine, a medical technologist, plans to set up a free clinic at a women’s shelter in Bucks County with Sila Bal, a Penn medical student. Initial emphases include diabetes and health and diet education for the young mothers, but they would also provide clothing, shoes, toiletries, etc.

cPr For veterAnS

Tyler Knabb, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Tyler first worked with CPR for Veterans through the Army National Guard, and his goal is to spread basic lifesaving knowledge to community leaders. The project also works to identify at-risk adolescents and youths who would benefit from additional leadership training and personal development through basic lifesaving education. Tyler’s grant is for certification fees to the American Red Cross, sponsoring at-risk youth, and purchasing training supplies like manikins and inflatable plastic lung bags.

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cAreer develoPment WorKShoP For PhilAdelPhiA city roWing Joshua Littlejohn, Corporate

Philadelphia City Rowing is a free rowing and academic program open to all middle-to-high-school students in public and charter schools. Through mentoring and academic-support programs, it targets at-risk youth and has an excellent on-time graduation rate and progression to post-secondary education for the students who complete the program. Joshua’s grant goes toward the program’s “Interviewing Day,” in which the student-athletes prepare for interviewing for a job, a college, or a varsity sports team.

get FreSh At mAnnA

Heidi Lewis, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania MANNA’s Get Fresh is a nutrition and cooking program for people with chronic disease. In the first classes, led by registered dieticians and chefs, participants learn which foods to look for and which to avoid. Then they cook a meal under the chefs’ direction, learning how to prepare a meal to improve their health. Last, they tour a grocery store to learn how to shop for healthy ingredients on a budget. Heidi’s funds are directed for participants’ transportation costs.

StoP the bleed cAmPAign

Camille McCallister, Perelman School of Medicine Penn Stop the Bleed provides training for school and other community groups, demonstrating responder care with tourniquets, gauze, and hemostatic agents.

Camille’s funding will be used to purchase bleeding control kits for the schools and other groups, to be used in case of incidents of intentional trauma, such as shootings. The interactions with participants also build community awareness of how to respond in the face of firearm violence and offer opportunities to bolster the prevention of intentional injury.

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community Food boxeS

Margaret McGowan, Home Care and Hospice It Takes a Village Community Giving is a grassroots charity dedicated to helping the underserved populations of Chester County. Its most successful project has been the community food boxes, accessible 24/7, which allow free and anonymous access to non-perishable food and personal toiletries, stocked entirely by donations. Margaret’s grant would bring three additional boxes to the area while spreading the Penn Medicine CAREs message of community engagement, health, and access to food to the most vulnerable populations.

Food connect

Isabel Noboa, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Although it is one of the many organizations that donate leftover food from businesses to shelters and pantries for those in need, Food Connect does so through an easy-to-use app where both those who have and those who need can easily use. According to Food Connect, food insecurity affects 1 in 4 Philadelphians who live in the city’s homeless shelters and visit local soup kitchens. One possible result is that they fall prey to preventable diseases because of malnutrition. Isabel’s grant will be used to provide funds for driving costs, to help deliver meals even after business hours.

Pre-PregnAncy educAtion in Women With diAbeteS Shobhana Parameshwaran, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Pregnancy in women with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes has huge implications for the well-being of mothers and babies. Pre-pregnancy counseling and education would encourage women to have a positive experience and help to reduce the complications of diabetes for both mothers and babies during pregnancy and in the postnatal period.

Shobhana’s funds would be used for hourly sessions, held multiple times a year, and the target population would be mainly women in Penn Medicine’s Helen O. Dickens Center for Women’s Health.

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houSe oF hoPe

Wanda Rogers, Pennsylvania Hospital Receiving previous CAREs grants for outreach efforts of New Hope Outreach Center in Germantown, Wanda Rogers has led an expansion so the church now hosts a six-bed transitional living unit, located above the church. House of Hope is for women recovering from addiction and for those newly released from prison. This current grant will cover toiletries, bed and bath linen, kitchen utensils, and cookware for the home. There are plans to assist the women searching for employment, by providing clothing and sessions on writing résumés. Wanda’s daughter, Aliya Rogers, a nurse like her mother at Pennsylvania Hospital, also works with the House to provide health care and education.

PoSitive And living SuPPort grouP

Alexis Schwartz, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania Positive and Living Support Group and the Women’s Empowerment Group help Penn Medicine patients who are living with HIV, providing safe spaces where they can share their experiences and learn about upcoming treatments for care. Alexis, a case manager in infectious diseases, sought support for educational materials and transportation costs. In addition, funding would provide for calendars to help clients monitor their appointments and for journals to help them document the changes in their lives.

PerSonAl touch

William Short, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania A professor of medicine, William has worked with Black Nurses Rock, a nonprofit organization that has donated toiletry packages for the Salvation Army’s New Day Drop-in Center in Kensington. The center specifically helps women suffering from sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. With his grant, William will provide an additional 50 packets of toiletries for the center.

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imProving AcceSS to PrimAry cAre ProviderS And SPeciAlty APPointmentS Deborah Sinni, Clinical Care Associates

Deborah’s grant helps cover the costs of transportation and food and juice for hypoglycemic patients of Penn Medicine’s J. Edwin Wood Clinic.

The clinic was established to provide care to adults without regard for their ability to pay, and the growth of the underserved population has been a challenge. Support from programs like Penn Medicine CAREs makes it easier for the patients to make and keep their appointments for preventative care, and likewise, stay healthier.

AngelS in motion

Irene Skirsky, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennslvania Angels in Motion is an outreach group of volunteers who have a personal connection to family members or friends with drug addictions. Irene, who is a mother of an addict, will use the grant for the “blessing bags,” which are handed out to addicts. These contain food, snacks, clothing, hygiene products, and resource information for obtaining help when they are ready.

The group also provides meetings for the families of current addicts, families of recovering addicts, and families of those who have lost loved ones to addiction.

ShePherd’S Kitchen

Paul Sweatlock, Corporate Honey Brook Presbyterian Church of Chester County hosts a volunteer program called Shepherd’s Kitchen, where those in need can receive a hot meal once a month. Over time, the number of people coming for meals has dramatically increased. Paul, a member of the church, will direct his grant to purchasing a new commercial-grade freezer.

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imProving SelF-cAre in recovery oF cArdiothorAcic Surgery PAtientS Donna Taylor, Chester County Hospital

Studies have shown that two-thirds of all patients readmitted to hospitals have problems with fluid balance after their operations. Donna received funding for 15 digital scales and 15 digital thermometers to be given to uninsured or underinsured cardiothoracic patients of Chester County Hospital. The tools will allow recovering patients to monitor their health and be able to report their symptoms to the surgical team. The goal is to prevent readmissions and modify patient care to aid in recovery.

cAmP Achieve

Bethany Thomas, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania Camp Achieve is a week-long summer camp that serves children who have epilepsy. It allows them to build relationships with their peers and experience activities that they have not been able to take part in. Bethany’s grant will sponsor five campers who would not have been able to afford to attend the camp otherwise, as well as first-aid supplies for use by the camp’s medical chaperones.

cAmden coAlition’S Student hotSPotting collAborAtive Denise Xu, Perelman School of Medicine

The Collaborative seeks to identify and address the root causes of high health-care utilization and to encourage future practitioners to incorporate this perspective. Denise, a medical student, sought funding for herself and other Penn graduate students to partner with the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers in observing four Penn Medicine “super-utilizer” patients. The goal is to understand the systemic barriers that lead to high health-care spending and to shape innovative solutions to meet the diverse needs of the Health System’s patients.

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FAll 2017 cAmP energy

Rachel Bastian, Perelman School of Medicine Rachel sought funding to offset the costs of sending two children from Penn Medicine’s community to Camp ENERGY. The camp, for youths 11 to 18 years old, seeks to promote healthy eating and physical activity in a nurturing environment. It also supports individual students who are seeking to maintain weight or lose weight. The program is based on a collaborative research study performed by CHOP and Geisinger Health.

PuenteS de SAlud

Isha Di Bartolo, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Funding would allow Isha, a resident physician in Internal Medicine, to purchase from 120 to 130 glucometers for the patients in the education program of Puentes de Salud. The clinic provides health care for the undocumented Latino population of South Philadelphia, for whom diabetes is a major problem. Penn residents, physicians, nurses, medical students, and community health workers all work together to help their patients manage their diabetes, and the glucometers would improve care.

PerinAtAl mood diSorderS SuPPort grouP Fran Doyle, Chester County Hospital

Perinatal mood disorders, which affect one in seven women either during pregnancy or within the first 12 months post-delivery, pose increased health risks to mothers, babies, and families if left undiagnosed and untreated. Funding is directed to a new support group for mothers of low socioeconomic means, providing for transportation costs, promotional materials, and water and snacks at meetings. The goal is to increase awareness of depression and mood disorders and, when appropriate, refer the women for appropriate medical and nursing care.

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creAtive dAnce/movement grouP

Sheau-Ling Duh, Pennsylvania Hospital

At Hall Mercer, Sheau runs a creative dance group for Southeast Asian immigrants who have various mental illnesses and have had difficulty integrating into the community. Funding would make possible a CD player, a wireless speaker and microphone, musical instruments, and exercise tools – all used to rebuild social skills and bring joy into their daily lives.

mother’S home

Emily Echevarria, Perelman School of Medicine As part of Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania’s neonatology advocacy initiative, Emily hosts a monthly educational session at Mother’s Home, a shelter in Darby that provides a safe home for vulnerable pregnant women, new mothers, and their infants. The funding provides for healthy food and drink, educational materials, survival kits for new mothers, books, and travel expenses. The shelter helps residents obtain the cognitive, emotional, and technical skills they need to achieve housing and financial independence.

heAlthy living

Vania Freire, Home Care and Hospice Vania, part of the Penn Center for Community Health Workers, works through IMPaCT to help patients set goals, to provide them with continuing transitional support in navigating the health system, and to connect them to various useful resources. She will direct the funding toward two IMPaCT support groups, the Healthy Living Chat and Chew (C and C) Group and the Fit and Free (F and F) Group, both of which target patients with chronic illnesses.

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A lung cAncer Screening nAvigAtion ProgrAm

Carmen Guerra, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Carmen, an Associate Professor of Medicine, is seeking to create the first lung cancer screening (LCS) navigation program at Penn Medicine for West Philadelphia residents. A recent study showed that only 3.9% of adults eligible for LCS have had screening. Funding would support the program and determine its feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness, providing for SEPTA tokens for patient transportation, and an iPad.

the WilliAm Penn Project

Shon Johnson, Penn Presbyterian Serving the schools in the William Penn School District, the William Penn Project helps families with low incomes. Some of the children have no school supplies after November; some need uniforms and coats. The project Shon set up helps provide those items for children in grades 8 to 12. In addition, it seeks to provide food baskets for upcoming holidays and winter months when their food is low.

the Penn memory cAFé

Alison Lynn, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania The Memory Café is a series of free monthly events for those with memory loss and the partners who care for them. Alison, assistant director of Care Programs for the Penn Memory Center, sought funding to support the Café for one year. Given that these individuals are at greater risk for isolation and depression than others in their age consort, the series offers them a stable, safe environment for socializing, peer support, and cultural stimulation.

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lAdy’S dAy Project

Michelle Madison, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania Inspired by her work with women in Philadelphia shelters, Michelle received funding to help homeless women deal with their periods. She witnessed how they have to struggle each month to obtain items like pads and tampons. Michelle arranges for them to receive goodie bags that include the essential feminine hygiene products that other women take for granted.

WePAc (WeSt PhilAdelPhA AlliAnce For children) Janet McMaster, Penn Presbyterian

Ever since the School District closed libraries because of funding issues a few years ago, the nonprofit WePAC has sought to promote childhood literacy by engaging volunteers in Philadelphia’s public schools to reopen and staff libraries and provide academic mentoring. Studies have shown that students’ reading level at the end of third grade correlates with their success in graduating from high school. Janet, who volunteers weekly at Samuel Powel Elementary, will use funding to purchase books that promote peace, community, and kindness.

bootS For homeleSS

Kim Milano, Pennsylvania Hospital For the past three winters, Kim has bought 25 pairs of boots to distribute to patients she sees in the ER who are in need. Funding allows her to buy more boots, which help to keep the patients warm and aid in preventing skin breakdown and foot ulcers.

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ArtiSt-in-reSidence

Renée Andréa Mills, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Renée has used her knowledge and expertise in art to help others explore their creativity and discover their skills. Funding allows her to buy art supplies and to rent space for art events. She partnered with the Philadelphia Public and Human Services Guild to establish Artistin-Residence Programs. Their mission is to encourage residents of Philadelphia’s homeless shelters to tap into their artistic abilities and to exhibit and market their works of art.

WeSt Philly PlotlAnd

Genevieve Nesom, Perelman School of Medicine Genevieve received funding to help establish a community garden in West Philadelphia. At present, there are 50 members who use the space to grow fruits and vegetables they cannot grow for lack of space at their own homes. The grant allows the community to purchase fencing, lights, liability insurance, waste removal, and repairs for the system supplying water. Plotland does not charge membership fees and seeks to accommodate as many inquiries as possible.

clothing And PerSonAl itemS For vulnerAble PoPulAtionS Patty Paulley, Chester County Hospital

Many patients at Chester County Hospital have only the clothes on their backs, needing not only medical care but personal care as well. Although the ED and social work departments do their best to provide toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs, and deodorant – and sometimes clothing and shoes – to these individuals, increasing numbers of patients have taken their toll on dwindling supplies. The funding supplements the supplies, helping the hospital to provide patient- and family-centered care.

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cArdiovASculAr diSeASe And hyPertenSion AWAreneSS community outreAch eventS

Natalie Pierson, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania Funding supports an event to increase access to community-based programs that provide cardiovascular disease management, education, and blood-pressure screenings. Given that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, the event will promote health lifestyles and share knowledge with a population that often has little access to care. The event will also expose participants to healthy food options and preparing food on a budget.

heArt huggy PilloWS

Kathy Stocker, Chester County Hospital Kathy Stocker, director of Volunteer Services at CCH, routinely leads hospital volunteers in making colorful heart-shaped pillows that are given to patients after abdominal surgery to help with physical therapy, pain relief, and pressure relief. Patients love receiving these cheerful and huggable handmade pillows, which they use to support their abdomens and surgical sites during various exercises. Funding will allow volunteers to make about 850 pillows, enough for one year’s supply.

Free little PAntry

Cheryl Stone, Clinical Care Associates Funding allows Cheryl to start a food pantry at her church in Hammonton, Atlantic County, N.J., open and free to anyone who needs it, including the region’s population of migrant workers and low-income families.

The project, inspired by a national outreach, the initiative is simply neighbors helping neighbors. Its goal is to provide the service 24 hours a day; neighbors would place items in the pantry at their convenience. In addition to non-perishable food, there would be paper products, small school supplies, hats, gloves, and socks.

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FitneSS For liFe

Thomas Volkert, Home Care and Hospice Tom Volkert, a social worker with Home Care and Hospice, received funding for My Place Germantown (MPG), which provides permanent housing for 12 disabled, homeless men between the ages for 40 and 55.

Funding will enable a fitness coach to work with the men that live in the home and construct work outs that enable health and wellness despite their disabilities.

cheSter county Suicide Prevention tASK Force Tracey Whalen, Chester County Hospital

One of the goals of the Chester County Suicide Prevention Task Force is to teach the incoming freshmen of the West Chester Area School District an evidence-based tool, QPR (Question Persuade Refer). The tool describes warning signs of a suicidal crisis and how to get the essential help.

Funding would be used for a certified instructor and a student information booklet. In addition to the students, the task force reaches out to first responders, physicians, parents, veterans, and counselors.

juStine’S Food AngelS

Joan Wielgoszinski, Clinical Care Associates Every Wednesday, Joan, a patient service associate for Family Medicine, teams with her friend Justine, a caterer, to prepare a hot dinner for up to 70 homeless people in Upper Darby. After dinner, clients are transported to a participating church to be housed overnight and then returned to the center in the morning. Justine’s Food Angels also provide clothing donations and toiletries. The funding helps support the program.

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hungry no more

Michael Williams, Penn Presbyterian Michael is also the pastor of Shades of Worship, which started a program to distribute food to help feed low-income families and seniors in the Gloucester Township area of South Jersey on a weekly basis. The program has also partnered with a local Wawa to rescue food that the store would ordinarily throw out. The grant funding allows them to purchase vegetables from local farmers as well as beans, rice, and pasta. Although the goal is to make sure participants have consistent and nutritious meals, it is bringing the together the community as well, most recently garnering the attention of the Gloucester Township police who contribute to the program.

cAreer WArdrobe job reAdineSS Vivian Williams, Corporate

Vivian, who has volunteered with Career Wardrobe for the last four years, requested funding to support one quarterly workshop for the year.

The workshop aims to help unemployed or underemployed individuals build self-confidence, develop critical networking skills, obtain or retain employment, and incorporating healthy eating and lifestyle habits. For those struggling to reverse the cycle of poverty, Career Wardrobe programs can help make the difference between a low-wage position and a first step toward a new career.

Penn Kidney diSeASe Screening And AWAreneSS ProgrAm

Stephen Yang, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Stephen, an NRSA Predoctoral Fellow representing a Penn undergraduate group, sought funding to purchase equipment and medical supplies for providing free kidney screenings at community events. Kidney disease is difficult to detect, and early detection could greatly improve the patient’s quality of life. The group’s mission is to raise awareness of the disease through health fairs near West Philadelphia and to collaborate with Puentes de Salud to serve a Latino immigrant community in South Philadelphia.

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Summer 2017 PrenAtAl breAStFeeding clinic, lAtinA community heAlth ServiceS Robbi Albert-Jones, Pennsylvania Hospital

To help attract more participants to breastfeeding discussions on Monthly Clinic Day of the Latina Community Health Services, Robbi requested funding to provide the mothers with bottled water, fresh fruit, and oatmeal. Among the many benefits of breastfeeding is a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes. In addition, the oatmeal can help some mothers produce more breastmilk.

rebuilding together PhilAdelPhiA And Penn homecAre And hoSPice – mAKing homeS SAFer Kim Bistrong, Home Care and Hospice

Working with Rebuilding Together, Kim provided funding that helped a group of Penn Homecare and Hospice employees to make parts of a low-income neighborhood safer. Items purchased included grab bars, stair railings, outdoor lights, new vinyl flooring to replace old carpet, and tub seats. The project also made sure there was adequate lighting indoors to help prevent falls.

gun SAFety locKS

Rhonda Browning, Penn Presbyterian Aware that Penn Presbyterian sees at least one injury related to gunshots daily, Rhonda used the funds to buy 72 gun safety locks. These were provided to community members to prevent some of these injuries; other locks were directed to patients and families who were in the emergency departments at all Penn Medicine sites. The ultimate goals are to decrease at least accidental shootings; lower the risk that children at home would find and fire a gun; and help prevent stolen weapons from being used in violent situations.

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breAStFeeding AWAreneSS And emPoWerment

Jabina Coleman, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania A lactation consultant and social worker at the Helen O. Dickens Center, Jabina directed the funds to help support the 2nd Annual BBQ4 Breastfeeding Awareness and Empowerment Community Event.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breastfeeding is “the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.” The event was aimed at the African American population in West Philadelphia, one of the minority groups that continues to have lower rates of breastfeeding.

gArdenS For the elderly Mary Coniglio, Corporate

Holy Family Home is a long-term care facility for the low-income elderly in a depressed area of Southwestern Philadelphia. Given that horticulture therapy can improve the quality of life in the aging population, Mary used the funding to enhance the facility’s Garden Club with raised garden beds, soil, plants, and garden hand tools. Residents also had input into what would be planted – flowers or vegetables. Creating and caring for the garden can lower stress, foster greater attention and more social interaction, and offer a venue for creativity.

love, chelSeA

Cheryl Cunard, Pennsylvania Hospital Cheryl requested funding to buy much-needed underwear and socks for the Morris Home, an eight-bed shelter for transgender individuals suffering from drug and alcohol addictions. She began her “Love, Chelsea” project work when her daughter, Chelsea, died suddenly, leaving behind her four-year-old daughter. Cheryl created her project to help spread some light and happiness among homeless women who are struggling.

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hAbitAt For humAnity PhilAdelPhiA: home rePAir ProgrAm Danae Faison, Penn Presbyterian

The local Habitat for Humanity’s program focuses on Mantua and Belmont in West Philadelphia and on parts of North Philadelphia, where the poverty rate is greater than 54% and abandonment rates are more than twice the city average. In addition, many of the homeowners lack the resources to make critical home repairs and have greater health risks.

Danae used funding to support those badly needed repairs, which also help prevent the displacement of families.

PeAnut butter And jelly

Jacqueline Felicetti, Chester County Hospital Every summer, more than 13,000 students in Chester County may have difficulty in getting lunch, which is normally provided in the schools.

Jacqueline used the funds to purchase peanut butter and jelly for the Chester County Food Bank. The sandwiches are a good source of protein and vitamins, and it’s easy for the children themselves to make them.

nurture

Debi Ferrarello, Pennsylvania Hospital A director of patient education, Debi used the funding to help cover the costs of breastfeeding consultations, which medical assistance plans do not cover. While it has been shown that breastfeeding plays a role in minimizing the risk of such chronic conditions as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, African American and low-income mothers have the lowest rates of breastfeeding. The goal at Pennsylvania Hospital is to make such care available to all families, especially those most vulnerable.

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interFAith hoSPitAlity netWorK – FAmily PromiSe oF glouceSter county

Kris Gallagher, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania The mission of Family Promise is to care for the homeless families of the county. Once in the network, they are housed at various interfaith churches in the evening. Kris used the funding to cover some of the costs of clothing, formula for infants, toiletry products, over-the-counter medications, food, and large air mattresses for the churches to use overnight.

united Age grouP trAcK And Field ASSociAtion Carolyn Griggs, Pennsylvania Hospital

The United Age Group Track and Field Association serves about 1,500 Philadelphia children between the ages of 6 and 18, providing opportunities to develop skills in running, jumping, and throwing.

With the funding, Carolyn covered the costs of facility rental, items the track venue, nutrition and snacks, onsite medical supplies in case of emergencies, and awards for performance. In addition to building physical fitness, the program promotes team-building and provides a safe environment for interacting with a diverse group of youths.

unity heAlth clinic: home blood PreSSure monitoring ProgrAm Yoonhee Ha, Perelman School of Medicine

Unity Health Clinic, founded by the Augustinian Defenders of the Rights of the Poor, is a free clinic staffed by volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, and health professional students from several Philadelphia universities. Yoonhee, a Penn medical student, requested funding to support a new program through which hypertension patients living in poverty could monitor their blood pressure at home. The funding paid for 15 blood pressure monitors, which are loaned up to 15 patients at a time.

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Project reborn uSA

Jamel Harvey, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Through his nonprofit, Project Reborn USA, Jamel used the funding to buy book bags, food, and water for homeless and struggling individuals and those in single-parent households. The first phase of his project is community outreach, which included preparing sandwiches and taking them around Philadelphia to give to the homeless. The ultimate goal is to point them eventually toward housing, job training, and self-sustainability.

the heArt heAlthy ProgrAm

Michelle Horgan, Chester County Hospital The Clinic’s Heart Healthy Program, which is the only free and charitable clinic in the hospital’s service area, provides medical health care to individuals in Chester County who are below the poverty line or homeless or undocumented. The program teaches them how to make healthy choices about food, how to stock a kitchen, and how to shop on a budget, and it also holds interactive cooking classes.

A cAll For helP

Randi Jackson, Penn Presbyterian Part of Randi’s role as a nurse is to partner with community health workers from IMPACT in assisting patients with safe discharges and building greater trust in our medical institution. Making discharges more difficult for Penn Med’s services, however, is the fact that some patients are homeless without a phone, or cannot afford a phone, and or have lost their phones during their hospital admission. Randi used the grant to purchase disposable phones for those patients, who can also use them to call for help if needed.

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metAmorPhoSiS And bleSSingS, inc.

Timmi Kilgore, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania With the funding, Timmi provided art supplies, food, and travel expenses for children who participated in the two Saturday programs at the Lenfest Recreation Center in Hunting Park. Offering activities, safety, and spirituality, the program seeks to be a solid source of meals and positive reinforcement for children and teens outside of school.

helPing our children

Kimberly Klepesky, Corporate Kimberly received funding to provide new tumbling mats for the cheerleading program at the Fox-Rok Athletic Association, a nonprofit organization in Northeast Philadelphia. Its goal is to promote children’s involvement, social skills, and athletic achievement. Because of many years of wear and tear, the program’s old mats were causing knee and wrist injuries.

urbAn tree connection’S community-bASed Agriculture ProgrAm

Katherine Madonna, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania Katherine directed the funding to UTC’s agriculture program, which seeks to improve community health in Haddington, a neighborhood in West Philadelphia where 80% of the children live in families eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Because the neighborhood lacks a high-quality supermarket, UTC produces more than 10,000 pounds of sustainably grown produce and distributes it to 850 lowincome families each year. The funds are used to improve the farm stands, support community outreach, and provide stipends to community leaders who operate the stands.

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roxborough SPortS community

Christine Malloy, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Concerned that the Roxborough sports community had no medical supplies to take care of its boys and girls as well as children from opposing teams who were injured during games, Christine requested funding to provide the proper supplies and equipment. The grant also provides for standardized medical kits; an AED (stored in the clubhouse); and training for volunteers to become certified to teach CPR to all the coaches and assistant coaches.

Philly youth PeAce Project

Shariq Raza, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania Shariq used the funds to support the organization’s after-school projects that help build a sense of community and have a direct impact on reducing injuries due to violence. The funds went toward buying music and audio devices so that young aspiring artists in West and North Philadelphia can record music and spoken art.

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PennMedicine.org/Community CAREs@pennmedicine.upenn.edu (215) 349-5408