Penn Medicine CAREs | 2016 Grant Recipients

GRANT 2016

Grant Recipients

We are pleased to share with you the following list of every community-based project supported through our Penn Medicine CAREs grant program this past fiscal year. The projects provide a snapshot of efforts by Penn Medicine doctors, nurses, staff and medical students who devote their time and talents to the communities Penn Medicine calls home. Please take note of the breadth of the programs through which they seek to improve quality of life for our neighbors and the creativity and sensitivity with which they do so. Penn Medicine is proud to have supported each of these projects through our Penn Medicine CAREs grant program. The CAREs grant program is open to every member of Penn Medicine and Perelman School of Medicine students who seeks to address a community health need. The grant is awarded based on the quality of the program, the needs of the community and the overall impact of the project. We started the program as a way to give back to our community and to recognize and encourage employee volunteerism.

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 community members. Many have tirelessly responded to the need of the sick and underserved in innovative ways and selflessly dedicated their time and talents. Since its inception in 2011, the CAREs grant program has funded nearly 200 community projects.

We hope that this list both highlights the dedication of members of the Penn Medicine family and encourages and inspires continued work in our communities to eradicate health disparities, improve health education and awareness and promote healthy practices in everyday life.

If you would like to learn more about the Penn Medicine CAREs grant program, please contact our office of Public Affairs at (215) 662-7030 or visit PennMedicine.org/Community.

Ralph W. Muller Chief Executive Officer University of Pennsylvania Health System 2

SECOND CHANCE THREADS Alexis Brimm Akins, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Second Chance Threads is a unit-run initiative started by Alexis Brimm Akins in Ocotober 2014. Working in the Emergency Department, Alexis noticed that many patients being discharged did not have appropriate clothing for the weather. She and her coworkers began to donate gently-used clothing to give the patients in need. Funding enabled the unit to purchase additional weather-appropriate clothing so they can continue to take action in their compassion.

REACH OUT AND READ Aimee Ando, Clinical Care Associates Reach Out and Read is a part of a nationwide, evidence-based program that promotes literacy and family bonding between children and parents by encouraging daily reading aloud at home. The program is initiated in doctors' offices by offering books at no cost in the waiting rooms for families to use and take home. University City Family Medicine received a grant to supply the books so that this practice could participate in the program.

MIND YOUR BRAIN @ PENN MEDICINE Robin Armstrong, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Robin Armstrong, research laboratory manager in the Department of Neurosurgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, received funding to help produce the annual event, Mind Your Brain. Robin helps coordinates this event that shares research, insights, and therapies from Penn Medicine clinicians and Neuroscience and brain injury thought leaders as well as the personal and medical struggles of those impacted by brain injury and concussions. The event is open to the public and in the past, about 140 survivors and caregivers attended.

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ESOPHAGECTOMY SUPPORT GROUP Beauty Averion, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania This program provides quarterly support group sessions and online support for Ravdin 6 esophagectomy patients, who must address major lifestyle changes as a result of their surgery. Nutritionists, oncologists, and counselors make presentations and respond to questions. Volunteers also make home visits to help patients and families address difficulties that may arise. Funds were used to underwrite parking costs for patients who attend the in-person sessions and other related expenses for the events.

CAMP KESEM UPENN SCHOLARSHIP

Christina Bach, Corporate A previous recipient, Christina Bach and the University of Pennsylvania chapter of Camp Kesem, received funding to sponsor four children whose parents are being treated for cancer to attend Camp Kesem. At this summer camp, the children benefit from a network of support from University student-counselors and fellow campers whose own caregivers are struggling with illness, while enjoying the simplicity and fun of summer camp.

GIVE BACK Anthony Bracey, Penn Presbyterian The Give Back program assists ex-offenders fulfilling their community service and completing their addiction-recovery program by volunteering at the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA). Animals in need receive much-deserved attention; participants acquire skills which may lead to animal care jobs; and they receive therapeutic value from their interactions with the animals. The CAREs grant supported transportation costs to the facility and some expenses related to animal care.

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MANNA Arlene Brackett, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania

Arlene Brackett, who has volunteered with MANNA for the past 3 years, received funding to use in the administrative offices. Three times a day/ seven days a week, MANNA cooks and delivers nutritious, medicallyappropriate meals and provides nutrition counseling to those who are battling life-threatening illnesses.

OPERATION YELLOW RIBBON OF SOUTH JERSEY Mary Bradis, Pennsylvania Hospital Operation Yellow Ribbons of South Jersey is an all-volunteer, U.S. troop support group that provides care packages to troops in combat areas.

The CARES grant purchased care items, including food and toiletries, and assisted with shipping expense

THE DINA PROJECT Jawanza Bundy, Pennsylvania Hospital The Dina Project is a new mentoring program that links practicing nurses with students from Mathematics Civics and Science Charter School at 407 North Broad Street in Philadelphia who are considering a nursing career. This project is a partnership with Philadelphia Futures, a 25-year-old nonprofit with success in increasing college access and enrollment for low-income, first-generation students. Funding supported transportation, meals, and related expenses for students for overnight visits to area schools of nursing.

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YOUTH MINISTRY/HOLY CROSS Helen Chavar, Penn Presbyterian Holy Cross Baptist Church hosts a week-long day camp each summer for teens 12-19 years old in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia.

Programs include better health through diet and exercise, safe sex education, prenatal care and parenting, and coping with violence and abuse. CAREs funding purchased a “drug-addicted baby� simulator for use in parenting classes and other health-related items.

46TH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH COMMUNITY OUTREACH Mattie Cooper, Pennsylvania Hospital 46th Street Baptist Church cares for its community in a number of ways, including providing blood pressure screenings, glucose testing, flexology, fitness instruction, healthy eating direction and encouragement.

Grant funding purchased an AED for the church and the surrounding community.

PHYSICIAN TRAINING AND MEDICAL EVALUATIONS FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS Sonya Davey, Perelman School of Medicine The Penn Human Rights Clinic, the first student-run asylum clinic in Philadelphia, provides medical evaluations for individuals seeking asylum in the United States because of persecution and torture in their countries of origin. CAREs grant funding covered training of Penn Medicine physicians and students to perform physical and psychiatric evaluations of asylum seekers.

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"BUILDING BETTER BRIDGES" BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY Madeline Dawson, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Victory Outreach Ministries in Southwest Philadelphia hosts an annual community block party and health fair attended by 250 people. School supplies were provided to low-income children from the area, and Penn Medicine personnel provided information on such topics as asthma, breast cancer, and stroke. Funding supported the purchase of backpacks and school supplies.

KEEP OUR VETERANS SAFE Marge Delaney, Corporate Serving veterans from their Powelton Village location, The Veterans Group houses 48 veteran men and provides case management and supportive services to veterans in need. A multiple-year receipient of CAREs grant funding, this year the Veterans Group received funding to purchase safety railings for the 10 bathrooms in the home.

FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH FOOD CUPBOARD Shelly Earland, Pennsylvania Hospital Neighbor to Neighbor Community Development Corporation is a private nonprofit that has provided urgently needed community services to individuals and families of Delaware County and the surrounding area for 20 years. Because of its long service, The Food Cupboard, a program of Neighbor to Neighbor operating in collaboration with the First African Baptist Church, has many contributing organizations that help families meet basic nutritional needs. Grant funds purchased a freezer so that fresh meat donations can now be accepted. The families leaning on the Cupboard can now receive not only basic food staples, produce, bakery and diary items, but also meat.

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ADVANCE CARE PLANNING: IMPROVING GOALS OF CARE CONVERSATIONS Jennifer Egg, Pennsylvania Hospital At Pennsylvania Hosptial, staff from he Abramson Cancer Center, the Ethics Committee, and the Palliative Care team have partnered to staff information tables, provide educational materials and sample documents, and answer questions from patients, family members, and UPHS staff concerning health care decisions and advanced care planning . Funding purchased informative booklets and resources, specifically, Five Wishes and The Conversation Project.

THE COMMON PLACE CLINIC

Abigail Fessler, Perelman School of Medicine

Building on a collaborative effort among the Perelman School of Medicine, Cornerstone Academy, a school in West Philadelphia, and The Common Place, a local community center, this project focuses on building an afterschool fitness program in West Philadelphia to address the unmet health needs of school-aged children in the area. The program offers a weekly dance fitness class for teachers, students and parents, supplemented by basic health lessons and fitness monitoring before each session.

Ultimately, the goal is to promote healthy behaviors and self-empowerment among children who currently suffer from limited access to wellness education and physical activity.

SISTERS R US CIRCLE OF SURVIVORS Calvin Florence, Pennsylvania Hospital Sisters R Us Circle of Survivors received funding for their annual Breakfast and Breast Cancer Awards Program. At this event, held on November 7th, stipends were given to women during their cancer treatment, to caregivers and to survivors living beyond their diagnosis who were all experiencing a financial hardship.

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EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP Bethany Frasch, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Bethany Frasch of Neurology at the Hosptial of the University of Pennsylvania received funding to help produce the monthly meetings of the Epilepsy Support Group. These meetings areopen to the community.

The goal of this support group is to educate and provide support so that patients can develop better coping and decision-making skills, which can lead to improved long-term outcomes.

BLEEDING CONTROL COURSE John Gallagher, Penn Presbyterian Bleeding injuries can result from natural and manmade disasters as well as interpersonal violence. Providing bystanders with basic tools and information on the simple steps they can take in an emergency situation to stop life-threatening bleeding can save lives. The Trauma Unit at Penn aids in saving lives by offering Bleeding Control Course (B-Con) to groups in West Philadelphia. In alignment with the national Stop the Bleeding Campaign, Trauma staff teach participants the basic life-saving medical interventions, including bleeding control with a tourniquet, gauze packs or hemostatic agents, and opening an airway. Funds purchased the bleeding control kits.

PODIATRY CARE FOR THE UNDERSERVED Paula Gangopadhyay, Penn Presbyterian In response to a demonstrated health need of the patients treated at the Perelman School of Medicine health clinics, a podiatry care team was developed. This team rotates volunteer days throughout the clinics to provide podiatry care for a diverse population, ranging from the uninsured residents of West Philadelphia with hypertension to University City’s homeless population to the Indonesian immigrant community of South Philadelphia. CAREs funds were used for podiatry ‘tool kits’ made up of medicines, medical supplies and equipment.

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WHAT'S A TYPICAL DAY? PHOTO-ELICITATION PROJECT WITH OLDER ADULTS WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT Tigist Hailu, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania This project gives cameras to Penn Memory Center patients and research participants with mild cognitive impairment to document their lives as they address their condition. The photos are then used as the basis for therapeutic discussions with Penn Memory professionals. The images captured by the participants and their portraits taken by a professional photographer were mounted for exhibits in Philadelphia communities and displayed online as a means for increasing awareness about cognitive impaiment. The CAREs grant supported the purchase of cameras and supplies, photo transcription, and costs associated with the community center exhibition

REFUGEE WOMEN'S HEALTH CLINIC AT PENN CENTER FOR PRIMARY CARE Zehra Hussain, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania The Refugee Women’s Health Clinic at the Penn Center for Primary Care received funding for translators of three different languages to better serve the women at the clinic. By addressing the language barrier, health education and coordination of care are increased. The translators also serve as community health workers in taking the message of preventative care back to their communities.

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GIFT OF LOVE Shon Johnson and Nuala McGugan, Penn Presbyterian The Gift of Love is an organization that reaches out to families in Philadelphia and Delaware Counties that are in financial and social crisis.

Created by Shon Johnson of Penn Presbyterian and Beulah Tabernacle in Upper Darby ten years ago, the mission of the organization has remained the same: to provide resources and good will to those in need. Today, she partners with Nuala McGugan and other coworkers, as well as her new church in Delaware County and Upper Darby schools— Kindergarden Center, Stonehurst Elementary, and Beverly Hills Middle.

Funding went toward school uniforms, Thanksgiving food baskets, prom ticket and expenses for those in need.

HOSPITAL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA INTENSIVE CARE NURSERY CAR SEAT PROGRAM Kerrie Kelly, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania delivers over 3,500 babies each year and offers a 42-bed, level III nursery, providing the highest care to the most vulnerable infants. Employees have seen firsthand the burden that the purchase of a specialized car seat, needed to take a premature infant (weighing on average about four pounds) home, can put on a family. Grant funding purchased these car seats to be given out to our low-income families residing in West Philadelphia, where the poverty rate is 26.5%

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SCENT FROM HOME Julia Lavenberg, Corporate Julia Lavenberg spends one evening a week at the Barker Penn Transplant House baking for organ transplant patients and their families that stay at the House while they are being treated at Penn Medicine.

More than providing desserts, Julia understands that the sense of smell is linked to memory and emotional experience. Shebakes not only to produce great desserts, but also to greet patients with wonderful smells that evoke nostalgia, comfort, and caring, after a day of treatment in the hospital. CAREs funding went toward the purchase of a mixer, storage containers and pantry staples so others could volunteer in baking at the House.

START TALKING SCIENCE Marion Leary, Perelman School of Medicine As the health sciences sector is estimated to grow by 19% between 2012 and 2022, the City of Philadelphia, in partnership with the White House, has committed to educating students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through the US2020 PHL campaign, Start Talking Science (STS). STS increases the awareness of, and interest in, cutting-edge, local research through free, public events in order to make STEM research accessible to local students and the community.

Additionally, STS creates a forum for researchers and scientists to create partnerships across disciplines and institutions..

16TH ANNUAL SCHOOL SUPPLY GIVEAWAY Johanne Louis, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania This annual giveaway operated by the Noel Roberts Foundation at Bartram Gardens provides school supplies, grooming services, and health and wellness information to low-income children in West Philadelphia. Funding supported the purchase of laptop computers for giveaway at this event.

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LGBT ELDER INITIATIVE HEALTH CONVERSATION PROGRAMS Wayne Marquardt, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Wayne Marquardt once again received funding to provide health education sessions through the LGBT Elder Initiative. These sessions focused on health concerns of older adult women. Additionally, sessions were videotaped and posted to the group’s website to reach a wider audience.

PET A POOCH Heather Matthew, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania As an emergency department nurse, Heather Matthew understands that hospital staff are under a great deal of stress and are at risk for burnout and fatigue. Seeing a need for her and her colleuges to ease those stressors, she created the Pet a Pooch program. In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA), adoptable dogs and cats are brought to the hospital for quick visits. Two objectives have been met with these visits. 1) The burnout, fatigue, and stress of hospital staff is relieved, and 2) these dogs and cats are finding forever homes. Funding went to the PSPCA to support its mission and the Pet a Pooch program.

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WEST PHILADELPHIA BOY SCOUT TROOP 152 John McCoy, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania John McCoy has volunteered for the past 11 years with the Boy Scout Troop at Saint Frances de Sales at West Philadelphia. His son, whoearned the Eagle Badge, the Scout's highest honor, and started attending Penn State recently, was the reason John initially became involved in the troop.

Despite his son’s graduation from the program, John continues his volunteerism and, this year, will be assisting five teens who are up for the Eagle Badge this year. Funding assisted with their community service projects as well as winter and summer camps for all the scouts.

GIFT OF LIFE FAMILY HOUSE BRUNCH AND DINNER Janelle Mirabeau, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Janelle Mirabeau coordinated staff on Rhoads 2 to prepare home-cooked meals at the Gift of Life Family House. This House serves as a home away from home for patients and their families by providing temporary, affordable lodging and supportive services to those who travel to Philadelphia for transplant-related care. The Home Cook Heroes Program provides a much-needed support service to these families that stay at the House and do not have the time, resources or energy to prepare a healthy meal. Funding purchased the food to make the meals.

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WOODLAND WRITERS Aivi Nguyen, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Having attended and worked at Vietnamese Mennonite Church at 63rd and Woodland Avenue for seven years, Aivi Nguyen and other youth group leaders saw a need for an SAT prep and writing tutoring sessions for the community’s youth. Thus, Woodland Writers was formed. The project began with at least ten young members of the church and surrounding area, aged 13-16 years old. Funding purchased workbooks and other resources needed to produce the educational sessions, and provided the means for several youths to attend college tours.

PENN MEDICINE BREAST HEALTH INITIATIVE Andrea Nicholson, Pennsylvania Hospital The Penn Medicine Breast Health Initiative offers free breast cancer screening and diagnostic services to uninsured women in the Philadelphia region by addressing barriers to care, transportation, language, trust, support, and many other issues. Since June 2014, the program has served over 400 women and diagnosed cancer in three patients. The program partners with diverse community organizations and clinics, including Congreso Health Center, Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Associations Coalition, and the Health Annex to promote services to those most in need. CAREs funds were used to provide transportation and for marketing materials.

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ADULT LITERACY AND GED PROGRAM Joseph Oaster, Corporate “The best two hours of my week,� is how Joe Oaster describes his weekly volunteer work at the adult literacy and GED class at Helping Hand Rescue Mission at 6th and Spring Garden streets in Philadelphia. The class is held every Wednesday night and although the number of pupils and volunteers vary, Joe is always present and has been for the past four years. Funds were used to purchase updated textbooks, tests, and software.

EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT Janine Pantalone, Pennsylvania Hospital Janine Pantalone received funding to purchase an AED machine to be installed at Trinity Lutheran Church at 18th and Wolf in South Philadelphia. The installation of the AED is part of her son's Boy Scout project for Troop 147. Education and awareness were also part of the project; Janine assisted him in developing a presentation for the rest of the troop, the church, and the community on managing an emergency and proper use of the AED.

UNITED COMMUNITY CLINIC BIKE RODEO Alomi Parikh, Perelman School of Medicine CAREs funding purchased bike helmets that were given out at the annual United Community Clinic Bike Rodeo in East Parkside. The event focused on addressing the social determinants of health by providing strategies for exercise and nutrition in an urban environment.

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HOLISTIC LIVING CHALLENGE Carly Roop, Pennsylvania Hospital Carly Roop of the Abramson Cancer Center at Pennsylvania Hospital received funding for a 7-week program focused on enhancing wellness based on holistic and traditional Chinese medicine principles. Part of each weekly meeting will consist of group talking about personal wellness goals and sharing the successes and struggle of putting wellness choices into practice.

PENN ACADEMY FOR REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES Jamie Shuda, Perelman School of Medicine Penn Academy for Reproductive Sciences (PARS) is a free, six-Saturday workshop that exposes sophomore and junior females from the Philadelphia Public Schools to biomedical research and clinical careers, focused on the science of female reproduction. Numerous Perelman School of Medicine and UPHS staff volunteer to teach the workshops.

This program provides an opportunity for females from the surrounding public schools to gain real-world exposure to STEM subjectsand to gain a better understanding of their own bodies, helping to educate and empower them. Staff also provides ongoing mentoring and college/career guidance for all girls that have completed the workshops.

PUENTES DE SALUD DERMATOLOGY CLINIC Cory Simpson, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Puentes de Salud (Bridges of Health) is a clinic promoting the health and wellness of South Philadelphia’s rapidly growing Latino immigrant population. With this grant funding, two pieces of equipment were purchased so that minor dermatological procedures can be done at the clinic, thus improving access to care for this population.

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PHILADELPHIA BLACK PRIDE Kevin Sims, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania In February 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released this alarming statistic: one in two black men who has sex with men (MSM) will be diagnosed with HIV in his lifetime, compared to one in eleven white MSM. Because of the stark reality presented by these numbers, the planners of the Philadelphia Black Pride celebration created “Power Hours� to bring HIV testing and education to this community.

Grant funding assisted in costs associated with HIV testing and education.

DECK REPAIR OF RUDOLPHY/MERCY-DOUGLASS HOME Katie Stonelake, Penn Presbyterian The Rudolphy/Mercy-Douglass Home is a residence program for low-income individuals with blindness and other disabilities. The Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) staff at Penn Presbyterian have had a special relationship with the residents of the Home for a number of years. After seeing the need for repairs for the Home's outside porch area, MICU staff secured grant funding to make the necessary repairs so this space could once again be enjoyed by the residents.

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BRIMS AND BRUNCH FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS Chantè Thompson, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania Breast cancer awareness has been a passion of Chantè’s since her mother’s passing more than ten years ago. She has turned her grief into passion, and that passion into action. She creates events and opportunities that bring awareness and education about breast cancer and the importance of mammograms. Brims and Brunch is one such annual event, held in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The sole aim of this particular event is to encourage minority women to obtain mammograms. Speakers include several breast cancer survivors.

CAREs funding supported food, t-shirts, and related expenses for the event.

OROMO COMMUNITY PENNSYLVANIA Mitiku Tolassa, Corporate The Oromo Community Organization of Pennsylvania was established for advocacy, charity and educational purposes. (Oromo is an ethnic group initially from Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia that has been relocated along with other communities in Diaspora.) The mission of the group is to promote the Oromo culture, disseminate awareness about the human right abuse against Oromos anywhere and advocate against any human right violations. The goal of this organization is to inspire hope, provide service and be part of a force that establishes stability in our area for the Oromo community. Funding was used to help produce an educational seminar in the community to promote health care awareness.

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GIRLS ON THE RUN Robin Ward, Corporate Girls on the Run (GOTR) Philadelphia once again received grant funding.

Since its inception a few years ago, GOTR has provided a physical activity-based youth development program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade. The 300-plus participants represent a variety of socioeconomic and racial/ethnic backgrounds. The mission of GOTR is to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun curriculum which creatively integrates running and ends with their completion of a 5K race.

Funding covered costs of the culminating end-of-season 5K.

CONNECT BY NIGHT Joan Wielgoszinski, Clinical Practices of the University of Pennsylvania Connect by Night is a shelter program in Upper Darby that feeds homeless people and then transports them to a host church for overnight stay. Marple Presbyterian in Broomall is one of the churches that provides the homeless with a hot meal and a good night’s sleep. Joan, a member of Marple Presbyterian, received this grant to help her church support this effort.

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COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT FITNESS NETWORK Michael Williams, Penn Presbyterian Michael Williams once again received grant funding on behalf of the Community Enrichment Fitness Network. This time, funding went toward Nutrition Awareness for the Elderly, a 5-week program held at West Philadelphia Senior Community Center. This program includes nutritional teachings— taught by dieticians—focused on the importance of practicing a plant-based diet and its many benefits on physical health.

Participants are taught how to eat healthy on fixed incomes and also how to prepare all meals in a healthy way. Actual cooking demonstrations showed the participants safe food handling techniques, seasoning with low sodium herbs, and maintaining proper temperatures so that vegetables and meat keep their nutritional value.

ASIAN AMERICAN SENIOR CARES Qunbin Xiong, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Main Line Chinese Culture Center provides—among other things— literacy training, and when necessary, transportation to a health care facility for Chinese American seniors. Grant funding supported an English teacher, transportation to a health care facility, and on-site health equipment to assess participants.

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PennMedicine.org/Community CAREs@uphs.upenn.edu (215) 662-7030