Robert Winn, M.D.

"Identifying and Dissolving Barriers to the City of Philadelphia Free Hepatitis B Immunization Program for Gay Men"

Dr. Winn surveyed gay men in Philadelphia to identify the barriers to using the city's free Hepatitis A/B Immunization Program. He then helped to develop a media campaign addressing these issues. As part of the project this resident appeared on local television along with the Philadelphia Health Commissioner to educate and encourage gay/bisexual men to be immunized. In the second phase of his project, this resident worked in the Philadelphia Community Health Alternatives Clinic where he screened and vaccinated gay/bisexual men for hepatitis A/B. One hundred men were screened, 3% tested positive for hepatitis B, no patient tested positive for hepatitis A; the negative responders were begun on a hepatitis B and/or A vaccination series. At the end of this resident's second project month (he added an elective time to his required community medicine month) 70% of these men returned on time for their second hepatitis vaccinations.

David French, M.D.

"Establishing Routines in Health Care Communication For Health Care Providers within the City of Philadelphia's Prevention Point Clinics"

Dr. French worked with "Prevention Point" the city of Philadelphia's needle exchange program. The medical person-power for this program comes from volunteer attending physicians, residents, medical students and other health care workers from 3/5 of Philadelphia's medical schools. This resident worked with the Public Health Department to develop standardized forms of communication between the volunteers who cared for the drug-using clients at the "Prevention Point" locations. He also developed a survey to be used to better understand the health needs of the drug-users who frequent Philadelphia's needle exchange sites.

Anshul Gambir, M.D.

"Using Internet Technology to Electronically Publish a Core Set of Patient Social and Medical Information Resources"

Dr. Gambhir developed a project to help the city of Philadelphia further develop its web-based health resources and information educational site. The city of Philadelphia established a web site. The Department of Health was in the process of linking health resources onto the site. This resident was to help link external health educational resources to the site. The ideas behind this project were collaboratively developed and the health department implemented their web site. The educational resources section was never implemented.

Tessie Thomas, D. O.

"Comparing the Use of Traditional Pap Smears with the 'ThinPrep' Technique within the Health Clinics of the Philadelphia Health Department"

The city of Philadelphia Health Clinics had been given the "ThinPrep" Pap testing kits on a one-year trial basis in order to determine the cost effectiveness for the city to convert to the "ThinPrep" pap in Philadelphia's Health Clinics. Dr. Thomas reviewed the literature and performed chart reviews in two of the city's health clinics. She collated data on pap test type, colposcopy utilization and pathology reports.

Peter Cronholm, M.D.

"Helping out in the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's 'Violence Intervention Project'"

Dr. Cronholm reviewed data collected by the Violence Intervention Project. This is an interventional research initiative that aims to identify and intervene with violently injured youth presenting to the emergency departments of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Presbyterian Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Health System. This resident established multiple research questions that might be answered by the existing data. He also spent time counseling victims of violence identified by this program.

"Establishing Adolescent Medical and Obstetrical Care at a Covenant House Shelter"

Dr. Badgio worked with a physician from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Covenant House Organization to establish a medical clinic and on-site health care for youth and their mothers within a Covenant House Shelter in the Germantown section of the city of Philadelphia. The clinic was established and supplies ordered. Staff were hired, policies and procedures implemented and the doors opened for business. This resident, now graduated, continues to see patients once a week at the Covenant House Medical Clinic with a full range of medical issues (including obstetrics). This Covenant House site has become part of a longitudinal elective established by this resident for herself, other residents and medical students from the five Philadelphia medical schools.

Poune Saberi, M.D.

"Erasing the Barriers to Immunization of the Elderly in the City of Philadelphia: 'Immunizations-On-The-Go'"

Dr. Saberi took an elderly relative to nursing homes and street corners in Philadelphia dispensing influenza vaccinations to the elderly. The goal of her project was to increase the rate of influenza vaccination recipients among the elderly urban poor.

Michelle Seelig, M.D.

"STD Treatment and Control"

Dr. Seelig counseled and treated patients at the Philadelphia Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic.

Terri McFillin Petrongolo, D.O.

"Violence in the Lives of Women Who Die In Philadelphia"

Dr. Petrongolo worked with The Philadelphia Women's Death Review Team to analyze the mortality statistics of violent deaths of adult women in the City of Philadelphia. These statistics were reviewed to ascertain the incidence and prevalence of mortality in victims of domestic violence, compare this data with data from other cities in the United States, collate data on the perpetrators, and count the number of affected, dependent children.

George Chuang, D. O.

"Sexually Transmitted Diseases Education Project"

Dr. Chuang developed then taught a seminar on sexually transmitted diseases and youth. He taught his seminar to the youth of Philadelphia through various health centers, health clinics, schools, after school programs, health fairs and health programs throughout the city. One evening he discussed with parents at a local church the risk- taking behaviors of teens and the facts of sexually transmitted disease. Dr. Chuang shared what he learned from talking with teens with primary care doctors in the residency and health care system.

Lisa Kellar, M.D.

"Early Identification of Adult Patients with Metabolic Syndrome… A Project at Philadelphia Health Center Number Six"

Dr. Kellar, through chart review, identified patients in Philadelphia's Health Center 6 with Metabolic Syndrome. She presented a report of these findings to the lead physician this health center.

"Food Protection and Injury Prevention in the City of Philadelphia…What Every Philadelphia Physician Should Know"

Dr. Webner toured food services throughout the city of Philadelphia with the sanitary inspectors from the Division of Food Protection for the City of Philadelphia Health Department. He also worked with the Philadelphia Health Department's Division of Injury Prevention. Ultimately, he wrote a letter to the Philadelphia Medical Society Newsletter describing what "every physician in Philadelphia should know" about the city's Food and Injury Protection Programs.

"The Care of Patients with Hepatitis C: A Primary Care Manual"

Dr. Lee collaborated with the Philadelphia Health Department, specifically Dr. Larry Robinson,Deputy Health Commissioner, and the "Hope C Project" in the development of a manual to be used by primary care doctors in treating hepatitis C in African-American patients.

"Charels R. Drew 7th Grade Health Classes"

Dr. Lee also led his class in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Drew 7th grade health classes.

Hoa Viet Le, M.D.

"Immunizations on the Go"

In the flu season, Dr. Le worked in conjunction with the Philadelphia Department of Health to immunizae "adults at risk" at their houses of worship. Over 100 flu immunizations were administered each Sunday after religious services.

"Health Care of the Vietnamese Patient"

Dr. Le taught physicians, residents, Penn undergraduates, and Vietnamese patients both the biomedical health and psycho-social-cultural needs of Vietnamese individuals living in the US. His talks, seminars, and classroom discussions did much to illuminate the needs and draw both physicians and Vietamese patients into partnerships surrounding health.

"Unequal Treatment: Health in America"

Dr. Le served as teaching assistant in "Unequal Treatment: Health in America" fall of 2003. In this academic-based service learning seminar, Penn freshmen explored the health disparities that surrently exist in the United States as they searched for solutions to "leveling the field of health and health care for all". Through this seminar Dr. Le mentored twenty-seven "priviledged" undergraduates as they mentored urban, underpriviledged, African-American 7th and 8th grade students. Dr. Le won second place for his poster "From Campus to Community: Health Disparities Between Penn and Drew Students" at "Studying Health Disparities Across the University" an Interdisciplinary Seminar Series: Ameliorating Health Disparities: Search for Success, the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA, in the spring 2004.

"Reach Out and Read at Penn Family Care"

Dr. Louis coordinated and implemented the nationally known "Reach Out and Read Program" to Penn Family Care, the resident and faculty practice of Penn's Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine.

Millen Gebreselassie, M.D.

"Immunizations for the Homeless"

Dr. Gebreselassie coordinated with the Catholic Work Free Clinic in North Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Department of Health to supply free adult immunizations to the homeless persons visiting the Catholic Worker Free Clinic.

"Drew-Ralston Buddy Program"

Dr. Duvall coordinated the "Drew-Ralston Buddy Program" between the Cahrles Drew School 7th and 8th grade students (urban, poor, most African-American youth) and Penn's Ralston House residents (mainly poor, underpriviledged, urban elderly living in a nursing home). The goal of this program is to establish social relationships between children and the elderly in order to maintain social skills of the elderly while teaching children about the "last stage of life".

"Drew-Ralston Buddy Program"

Dr. Crance conceived of the idea of the "Drew-Ralston Buddy Program". She also worked to coordinate the services of the Philadelphia Corporation of the Aging for the health care providers and patients of Penn Family Care. For her passiona nd work with the elderly Dr. Crane won the Elizabeth Ellis & Margaret White Award for excellence in Clinical Geriatrics from Penn's Department of Medicine.

"Asthma Education: the 2nd West Philadelphia Asthma Summer Camp"

Dr. Gittings held the “2nd Annual Summer Asthma Camp” for the children in West Philadelphia. During the 2005 camp children with asthma and their friends learned about asthma through games, lectures, and community resources. Penn “Bridging the Gaps” dental and social work students, Philadelphia College of Health Sciences’ pharmacy interns and others participated as counselors for this camp.

Nicole Otto, M.D.

"Exploring the Environmental Determinants of Urban Health"

Believing in the importance of the determinants of health and, specifically, the effects of environment on the health of children, Dr. Otto investigated city and state programs with the goal to “clean-up” and beautify the environment in the areas surrounding the Charles R. Drew School in West Philadelphia. Drew is located in an environmentally-challenged area of Philadelphia. Dr. Otto believes that the children could be empowered to “take charge of and clean their own environment”. With her research on existent state, city and private programs for greening and/or cleaning the environment, rising family medicine residents and students are challenged to put this project into action

Kyoko Pena , M.D.

"Basic Needs Project of Drew Children"

After learning that children were coming to school without proper winter attire, Dr. Pena organized the “First” and “Second Annual Coat Drive” for the students at Charles R. Drew School. Single-handedly, Dr. Pena advertised at community sites; gathered, cleaned and distributed coats, hats and gloves to the children in all grades. Through her project, in 2003 alone over 100 coats were confidentially distributed through teachers to Drew children.

"Needs Assessment of the SW Philadelphia Latino Population"

Believing that the Latino population is medically underserved in Philadelphia, Dr. Pena began the process of identifying the specific health needs of the Latino Population in Southwest Philadelphia. She hopes that her project can be completed in the future and ultimately assist in changing the current delivery of healthcare for Philadelphia Latinos.

"Asthma Health Education: the 1st Drew School Asthma Summer Camp"

Dr. Szlanic envisioned and organized a 6-week ‘summer camp’ to teach eight through 14 year olds about asthma. These children with asthma and their buddies learned about healthy lifestyles as well as the prevention, treatment, and maintenance of asthma disease though innovative workshops, outdoor activities, and field trips. At the end of the summer clad in doctors long white coats, these children ran a health fair for their parents and the patients of Penn Family Care. They took blood pressures, individual measurements (calculating BMI), glucose readings, and peak flows while teaching about asthma, diabetes, oral hygiene, good nutrition and general healthy living. Penn “Bridging the Gaps” medical and dental students, Philadelphia College of Health Sciences’ pharmacy interns and a local high school student worked as camp counselors under the mentorship of Dr. Szlanic.Department of Medicine.

Kathy Zeigler, M.D.

"Improving Health Awareness: “1st Annual Haverford-Mantua Community Health Awareness Fair"

Dr. Zeigler planned and implemented the “1st Annual Haverford-Mantua Community Health Awareness Fair” in the spring of 2005. Dr. Zeigler brought together and coordinated 30 individuals and 15 organizations from both the private and public sector to bring health education and surveillance to this underserved, minority, socio-economically-disadvantaged population Blood pressure and glucose monitoring, vision and dental screening, presentation of health education materials (asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, breast and prostate cancer, and many other diseases), and demonstrations of healthy meal preparation were just some of the activities which engaged community members throughout this day. The health fair culminated in a raffle to distribute glucometers, one blood pressure monitor, one cholesterol kit, medical ID bracelets and cookbooks were given out to the children, adults, and the elderly of this community.