Closing the Gap in Preterm Labor Education: Isabella Sesay’s Impact as a Zufall Public Health AmeriCorps Member
Isabella Sesay recently completed an 11-month service term with Public Health AmeriCorps, a volunteer program at Zufall Health dedicated to expanding the public health workforce, promoting health equity, and increasing access to services for underserved populations. Assigned to support the Prenatal Program at Zufall Health – West Orange under the guidance of Midge Clarke, RN, Sesay took on the critical task of preventing preterm labor among prenatal patients. Preterm labor,...
Why Public Health AmeriCorps Member Geralda Francois Is Committed to Her Community’s Health
When Zufall AmeriCorps member Geralda Francois was 15 years old, her life was upended by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti. Considered one of the biggest natural disasters in recorded history, the 2010 earthquake claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Francois remembers that for the millions of survivors, the public health impact was devastating. “Before the earthquake, most people couldn’t get adequate health care, unless they were very wealthy or left...
For AmeriCorps Member Kiara Isaza, Maternal Health Advocacy is a Year-Round Effort
Aspiring obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) Kiara Isaza is a Public Health AmeriCorps member in Zufall Health’s West Orange prenatal program. Recently, for Maternal Health Awareness Day (MHAD), Isaza and prenatal staff provided critical self-advocacy resources to pregnant patients—an experience she says she’ll be carrying with her to medical school and beyond. Like all teams at Zufall, the prenatal program works hard to bridge gaps in health care access and reduce disparities. Many patients...
The Power of Community Outreach: Laura Eirich’s Zufall Health AmeriCorps Story
Laura Eirich, MPH, oversees the Office of Community Health Workers at the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH). Community health workers (CHWs) — nonclinical health care professionals who provide health education, resources, and connection to health services — are a critical part of the U.S. public health system, bridging gaps between health care providers and underserved communities. Eirich, who earned a dual bachelor’s degree in public health and psychology from Carroll...
Pediatrician-Led Program Helps Kids Get Moving, Eat Healthier Foods
“It gives me so much joy to know how to eat better. I am happy and my son is happy. Thank you.” “I liked the topic about portions. I am very happy because I learned a lot. I am very grateful to the program.” “It helps me a lot because I can vary my kids’ meals.” “They are very productive and educational meetings.” [caption id="attachment_20604" align="alignnone" width="750"] An exercise session in Dover[/caption] These are just...
No Wrong Path to Public Health: Marina Pieretti’s Zufall AmeriCorps Story
When Marina Pieretti, MPH, completed her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Hispanic cultures with a minor in film at Barnard College, Columbia University in 2013, she had never considered working in public health. In fact, at that time, Pieretti was eager to begin a career in film. An aspiring dirctor, Pieretti’s first postgraduate job was as a production assistant with the TriBeCa Film Festival. She spent about a year in this...
Zufall Health’s AmeriCorps Program Adds Public Health Cohort
Zufall Health is excited to welcome its first-ever class of Public Health AmeriCorps members in July. During their 11-month term, these 10 individuals will provide health education and training, conduct community outreach and engagement, and work to improve access to health care. Members’ focus areas will include: health equity and the social determinants of health; COVID testing and vaccination support; access to services and reducing barriers to care; nutrition and...
Zufall Recognizes Dedicated Volunteers
Dr. Lynne Carmickle named 2017 Volunteer Honoree
Somerville, NJ (June 1, 2017) – More than 100 volunteers who give their time, talents, and energy to Zufall Health were honored recently at the Third Annual Volunteer Appreciation event at the Bridgewater Marriott Hotel. The volunteers provide a wide range of supportive services at the nonprofit community health center which offers affordable medical and dental care to patients in six New Jersey counties.