Photographs by Tommy Leonardi
scribed fielding many questions from student volunteers about the larger social context of patients’ lives. Over a nine-month period, the 12 students selected as Health Scholars did readings, attended monthly lectures and bi-monthly discussions, reflected about the program in writing, developed relationships with mentors, and designed projects with community partners.
Two Health Scholars – Beatriz Sanchez (front) and Gealina Dun (left, in pink top) – lead a yoga and meditation class.
The program brought together volunteers with varied backgrounds, including a University of Pennsylvania undergraduate senior with a double major in psychology and Hispanic studies, a research fellow at the Drexel School of Public Health, and a medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. “We both knew a diverse group of students would add to the discussion and enhance the experience,” said Shuman, course coordinator of the Health Scholars Program and a Ph.D. candidate at the Temple University School of Public Health. “It was a really good supplement to what we’re learning in school,” said Jonathan Sevilla, who finished his first year at the Perelman School of Medicine. “The lecturers were not all health professionals, so it gave me a sense that we’re not alone in confronting these problems. There are people in a
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