Quyen Phan’s COmmunity ties run deep.

For more than 15 years, the School of Nursing assistant clinical professor has worked with the local branch of Boat People SOS (BPSOS), which provides citizenship, occupational, and other social services to Vietnamese and Asian populations in Atlanta. Eleven years ago, with input from the BPSOS community, she developed a free community clinic to serve low-income individuals from across the metro area. Each semester, students from her population health course spend Saturdays at the weekly BPSOS clinic, providing health screenings, primary care, and vaccinations for adult and senior clients. Also, it is where the social determinants of each client’s health and the power of community partnerships come alive for students.

Phan’s connections to BPSOS and other community organizations proved especially valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, BPSOS had a steady supply of COVID vaccines, Atlanta’s Mexican Consulate — where Emory nursing students also provide health screenings — had plenty of clients, and the School of Nursing had expertise in administering vaccines. As she worked alongside these groups, Phan saw a great opportunity.

“On a given day at the Mexican Consulate, we brought the three groups together,” says Phan 03MSN, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC. “Our nursing faculty and students served hundreds of clients. It was community partnership in its truest form.”

Community Engagement: Closing the Gap

In 2022, the School of Nursing received a record amount of federal funding to expand such initiatives. The U.S. Department of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded six grants totaling more than $15.4 million to support health care delivery

The clinic is where the social determinants of each client's health and the power of community partnerships come alive for students.