Chicago Schweitzer Fellows

Summer 2013

Meeting the Homeless Community Where They Are On Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Lakeview, The Night Ministry’s Youth Outreach Team sets up at Belmont and Halsted to provide a variety of outreach services to all manner of people. The primary clients, however, are youth and young adults from diverse backgrounds who are either

homeless or at risk of homelessness.

My Schweitzer Fellowship project, entitled “Health Empowerment of Homeless and At Risk Youth,” was centered on these outreach nights, where I worked building rapport with Youth Outreach Team clients and providing them with healthcare.

One of the first things I noticed when I moved to Chicago two years ago was the huge number of homeless individuals, and the staggering lack of support for them, especially in terms of healthcare. I wanted to work with the homeless in a hands-on way, and I wanted to target a specific population. For multiple reasons, I was drawn toward The Night Ministry’s Youth Outreach Team. Their

focus is on the youth population, and besides the occasional referral from the staff and an HIV testing van that came by once a week, they did not have a consistent healthcare component to their outreach. For my Schweitzer project, I wanted to go to where the need was greatest and where I could make the most difference; working with the Youth Outreach Team provided me with that opportunity.

At the beginning of my service year, my four main goals were to help the clients learn:

When it's beneficial to access healthcare (e.g., how sick is really sick? Does that cut require stitches?)

How to interface with the health care system (e.g., what clinics are out there? How can I get health care needs met as a street person?)

How to finance healthcare without money or insurance (e.g., how can I navigate the state-mandated charity care?)

How to access low-cost/free prescriptions if needed

Helping the clients with these goals turned out to be a challenge. I learned early on that a great number of clients I worked with had experienced some form of trauma in their lives, be it

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Fellow Luke Jennings at his project site

Schweitzer Summer Fest Thursday, August 22, 6 PM

*Support Fellows’ community health projects

*Enjoy good food and company

For details, to donate, and to register, visit www.hmprg.org/events/Summerfest2013

2nd Annual

FFL Janna Simon: “Sustaining My Inner Fire” As I reflect on my time as the Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program Associate, I am inspired by the hundreds of Fellows, alumni, mentors, Advisory Council members and Program staff who continuously dedicate themselves to lives of service, helping our most vulnerable populations. Never have I been part of a network that re-energizes itself with just a simple conversation between two like-minded individuals, or where people from different backgrounds connect so easily toward a common cause. While I will no longer be Program staff, as a Fellow for Life, I look forward to my continued engagement, because, as Dr. Schweitzer said, “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” The Fellows for Life Network will continue to light my inner fire and spirit.

As I reflect on some of my favorite moments in this Program, my first thought goes to the Fellowship Orientation. Each year, including my own Fellowship year, I have seen how close Fellows can get with a little team-building and free-time. It never fails that orientation creates a contagious excitement for service and hope for the future. Eager minds soak up ideas and vision and leave us feeling energized to ensure justice.

When I think about the monthly Fellows meetings, I’m awed at how simple suggestions from people facing similar challenges can change an entire project’s course. I think about the late nights that end even later because Fellows don’t want to stop conversing over their ideas. I think about the guest speakers and their dedication to service that is shared with the Fellows. Meetings have always left me feeling full and complete, knowing I was there to support the important work of so many great colleagues.

The Schweitzer Fellowship Program is as effective as it is because of the dedicated staff who run the Programs across the country. Meeting twice a year with these colleagues and seeing their dedication to the Fellows and service has shown me what it is to have true passion for the work one does. This seems especially true for the Chicago Program Director, Ray Wang. Ray tirelessly spends hours each day to ensure the Program not only runs well, but continuously improves. His compassion and sincerity for this Program and the Fellows has been an inspiration and something I strive for in my career. As Albert Schweitzer put it, we all have to find our own Lambaréné, and Ray certainly seems like he has found his.

It is not with “goodbye” that I write this article, but with inspiration and reflection on the Network I will always be part of. I look forward to connecting with Fellows for Life throughout my career, and while I don’t know what my destiny will be, I will always keep in mind the words of Dr. Schweitzer, “the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”

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Janna Simon served as the Schweitzer Program Associate and Senior Policy Analyst for Health and Medicine Policy Research Group from 2008—March 2013. In April 2013, she began a new position at the Illinois Public Health Institute. She is a Fellow for Life (Chicago, 2007-08).

2 | Chicago Schweitzer Fellows Newsletter

“The Fellows for Life Network will continue to light my inner fire and spirit.”

3| Summer 2013

On a recent Friday, a young man came to my outpatient clinic on Chicago’s South Side, struggling with deep grief and depression after having lost two members of his family in one day.

His sister had been killed in a drive-by shooting, and his distraught diabetic father had missed taking his insulin and

slipped into a diabetic coma, never to wake up.

The health ramifications of our national epidemic of gun violence — with 100,000 people killed or injured by guns each year — extend beyond those who suffer from bullet wounds, encompassing their family, friends and communities. They struggle to cope with the needless loss of life from gun deaths, and their own sense of vulnerability in dangerous neighborhoods.

I think of my suicidal middle-aged patient who lost her second son to gun violence. She lost her sense of purpose in life at the same time. We struggled to find her ongoing mental health care in a budget-constrained environment to deal with her overwhelming feelings of loss and hopelessness.

I think of an optimistic 18-year-old who spends her weekdays not in school, nor working, but in taking her 2-year-old daughter to appointments with physical therapists and neurosurgeons, a year after the little girl was hit in the head by a stray bullet in a drive-by shooting.

I think of a beaten down elderly man, his son killed in a gang-style ambush on a freeway exit. (“Maybe you heard of it?” he asks. “The radios covered the traffic backup.”) When I advise him to walk a half hour every day for his health, he shakes his head no. “The people who killed my son still live in my neighborhood. I don’t feel safe on the streets.”

Gun violence is a terrible public health problem on Chicago’s South Side.

Dr. Doriane Miller, one of my colleagues in the Urban Health Initiative at the University of Chicago Medicine, born and raised on the South Side, leads Community Grand Rounds, an important series of evening meetings that bring together university and community experts to address health needs identified by the community.

Gun violence (along with obesity) has emerged as the most common concerns.

Dr. Miller responded to neighborhood concerns about gun

violence and the mental health of youth with the powerful play “It Shouldda Been Me,” exploring the responses of the best friend of a victim of gun violence, and how his family dealt with his depression.

How does a community respond to the overwhelming loss of life, and the terrible ripple effects on a family and community — depression, withdrawal, school failure, anger and revenge?

The sense of vulnerability and mistrust that neighbors have for each other erodes individual health in more subtle ways too. My patients are afraid to go outside to exercise, refusing

to walk in their neighborhoods, further contributing to the epidemic of obesity. The stress of what amounts to low-intensity warfare, never knowing when bullets might fly, leads to an increased stress response that exacerbates asthma and heart disease.

We need stronger gun laws and improved mental health care. Responding to the mental health needs of those who witness violence, and the family and friends who are deeply

affected by senseless loss, will help to stop violence. We need to make our streets safer, to create communities where neighbors can walk to the corner store to buy their fruits and vegetables, pursuing the habits that prevent the diseases of lifestyle that are making Americans die earlier than our counterparts around the globe.

Gun violence hurts more than the people who suffer the bullets in their bodies. It hurts the mental health of the family and friends of gun violence victims, and erodes the cohesion of healthy communities.

Gun violence is a public health problem, and we can support the public health measures that will create a healthier America.

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Dr. Kohar Jones is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Center. She is also a Fellow for Life (Lambaréné, 2003). This essay was published in the Chicago Sun Times on March 15, 2013.

In recognition of the impact of violence on public health, the 2013-14 Schweitzer Fellows will hold three public symposia this fall addressing public health concerns for communities through a violence lens. For more details, see back cover and stay tuned to hmprg.org.

“How does a community respond to the overwhelming

loss of life, and the terrible ripple effects on a family and

community — depression, withdrawal, school failure,

anger and revenge?”

Dr. Kohar Jones

Gun Violence is a Public Health Problem

psychological, emotional, physical, or even all three. This trauma often

leads to distrust of people in healthcare positions, since healthcare settings can make one feel vulnerable and can trigger negative responses associated with previous trauma. In fact, the trauma they encountered may have come from a healthcare setting. This was especially true since most of the youth population I encountered also live somewhere along the LGBTQI spectrum, and as it happens, most healthcare workers are uninformed as to how to interact with this population. Even seemingly simple questions of “What is your gender?”, especially when there are only two options provided, can incur a large amount of anxiety and emotional trauma in a person who is queer or intersexed.

Another challenge was becoming an expert in this knowledge so I would be able to teach it effectively. I did a great amount of research on financing healthcare, and in turn, that lead me to dig more information up about Charity Care in Illinois. In my search, I was referred to the Lakeview Action Coalition [LAC] by Cassie, one of the clients at the van stop. Cassie has been active with helping the LAC make strides with the charity care law, as well as with hospitals in enforcing the Charity Care mandate. It was through the LAC that I learned more about Charity Care and how it’s implemented. Essentially, the Charity Care legislation requires the many hospitals in the state of Illinois that receive tax incentives and breaks to pledge a certain percent of their care be cost free to those who need it. “Those who need it” is defined as anyone making less than 200% of the poverty line and are uninsured. Cassie even helped implement a Charity Care workshop at the van site – where those with unpaid hospitals bills could try to have them wiped out.

Getting to know and build relationships with the staff and clients at the van stops paved the way for me to accomplish my original goals. The staff members were

comfortable referring clients to me about health issues, and at times even came to me with health questions of their own. Filling this niche at the van stop was very rewarding for me and the trust that I garnered over the past 6 months was crucial to accomplishing my project goals.

Health education was a large component of my project, and toward this end, I regularly set up a question box for

clients to write and anonymously submit questions about their own or someone else’s health. I reformatted and answered the questions on posters that I set up at the site. This allowed people to casually read the answers to their own questions without identifying themselves while also allowing others to passively gain knowledge about health that they might be curious about.

Throughout my Fellowship year, I sought other ways to provide health information to these clients. While the clients ranged from about 18 to 25 years old, their mindset often seemed primarily an adolescent one. Forethought and anticipation are not high on the priority list of most adolescents, especially adolescents who live day to day like most homeless people, and teaching clients what to do in a future situation regarding their health, one which may or may not even happen, is a difficult task.

My Fellowship experiences have helped me gain a tremendous amount of confidence with approaching and helping people I would otherwise be reticent with. A couple of notable examples come to mind. For instance, an older homeless gentleman at the van stop was stumbling about, and smelling of alcohol. My instincts were telling me his trouble with balance and difficulty walking seemed more than just intoxication. I initially inquired about his condition and asked if something else was the matter, addressing his situation without judgment. Before developing non-invasive inquiry skills necessary to help street people who are living tough lives, I might have just chalked it up to difficulties on the street, and left it at that. However, in this situation, I was very glad that I did ask. It turned out that he had been struck in the head and neck during an assault, and was exhibiting signs of a concussion, or some other neurological injury. With the help of the Youth Outreach Team staff, I was able to help him go to an emergency department and get the care he needed.

Another instance involved a characteristically exuberant client, who

4 | Chicago Schweitzer Fellows Newsletter

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Cassie, a YOT van stop client,

enrolled 8 clients in a charity care

program to get hospitals to cover outstanding client

bills.

“I was exposed to so many different people from different

walks of life and many struggles. Interacting with this

group has taught me that trauma is everywhere, and

especially in the hospital systems here in the U.S.”

ANNUAL EVENT 2013

5| Summer 2013

On April 18, we celebrated the community work of the 2012-13 Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows. We also thanked the site mentors, faculty mentors, Advisory Council members, and many supporters of the Schweitzer Program who have contributed to the Fellows’ success.

6 | Chicago Schweitzer Fellows Newsletter

Seeking nominations for the

Schweitzer Leadership Award The Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship, a program of Health & Medicine Policy

Research Group, seeks to recognize an individual whose life example has significantly mitigated the social determinants of health in his/her community,

and whose commitment to service has influenced and inspired others.

Know Someone to Nominate*? To submit a nomination: Send an e-mail to the Chicago Schweitzer Program Director, Ray Wang

(rwang@hmprg.org), with the subject “Leadership Award Nomination.” In the body of the e-mail, include your contact information, the contact information of your nominee, and an answer to the questions:

Why is your nominee an ideal candidate for the Schweitzer Leadership Award? Please describe the ways in which your nominee has mitigated the social determinants of health in his/her community, and the ways in

which his/her commitment to service has influenced and inspired others. (Maximum Word Count: 1,000)

*Only individuals living in the Chicago area are eligible for nomination. Neither nominators nor nominees need to be associated with the Schweitzer Fellowship Program.

Nominations due by August 1, 2013

Stay tuned for information about a Fall Awards Event to honor and hear from the awardee!

demonstrated an unusual lethargy and cough. It was my initial

impression that he had pneumonia, so I asked one of his friends to escort him to the emergency room down the street at Illinois Masonic. The friend was eager to help, but the sick client was none too willing, saying he just wanted to sleep. It took quite a few volunteers and staff to urge him, but he finally went. A few weeks later I saw him at the van stop again, as rambunctious as ever. He eventually came up to me and thanked me, saying that if I didn't help him he would have been in serious trouble. It turned out he did have pneumonia, and he said it was “really cool” of me to get him to go to the hospital.

It was a short but meaningful thanks, and it helped to affirm in my mind the value of the work I have been able to do through my Fellowship.

To say that the clients at the Youth Outreach Team site taught me a great deal would be an understatement. I was exposed to so many different people from different walks of life and many struggles. Interacting with this group has

taught me that trauma is everywhere, and especially in the hospital systems here in the U.S. Whether we want to admit it or not, patients in a hospital often experience a great deal just to get into the hospital, and all the procedures and tests we use to make them healthy can be further traumatizing in and of themselves. Sometimes the trauma is “let in” when patients feel out of control of their health and the situation they’re in. Providers simply explaining the procedures can do a world of good in correcting this. Along with my increased awareness of trauma in my new profession, I have been thoroughly educated with the effects of health disparities and inequalities in our country. My Schweitzer Fellowship experience has encouraged me to continue seeking out like-minded people and affecting change for the better, to help those without a voice, and to help those with a quiet voice to raise it up and be heard.

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Luke Jennings is an RN at West Suburban Medical Center. He graduated from DePaul University School of Nursing and is a Fellow for Life (Chicago, 2012-13).

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7 | Summer 2013

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2013-14 SCHWEITZER FELLOWSHIP CLASS!

The Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program has selected the 2013-2014 Schweitzer Fellowship class. We are excited to welcome 32 students as Fellows, representing 15 universities, 21 academic programs, and 12 health and human service disciplines.

THE FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS ARE:

Allison Ancel, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, MA in Art Therapy Program

Danielle Babbington, St. Xavier University, School of Nursing

Nyahne Bergeron, DePaul University, Master of Public Health Program

Rachel Berkowitz, Illinois College of Optometry

Katie Berringer, University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration

Addie Boone, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine

Lily Camp, University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration

Diana Chen, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago Medical School

Marcus Han, Loyola University Chicago, School of Social Work

Jenna Heffron, University of Illinois at Chicago, Disability Studies

Alison Hernandez, DePaul University, School of Nursing

Kate Hoffower, Northeastern Illinois University, Department of Counseling Education

Tiphany Jackson, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine

Somayeh Jahedi, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Dentistry

Joji Kohjima, Rush University, Rush Medical College

Denise Lu, Midwestern University, Chicago College of Medicine

Bernice Man, Chicago State University, College of Pharmacy

Nisha Mehta, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Dentistry

Nina Metsovaara, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing

Triniece Pearson, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing

Amanda Platner, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Biswas Pradhan, Loyola University Chicago, School of Social Work

Jori Anne Reigle, DePaul University, School of Nursing

Karena Rounsaville, Rush University, Rush Medical College

Rachelle Sico, Loyola University Chicago, School of Law

Hannah Snyder, University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine

Ava Socik, Rush University, Rush Medical College

Ashley Tsang, University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine

Annabella Vidal-Ruiz, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing

Scott Waller, Adler School of Professional Psychology

Patricia Walsh, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing

Connor Williams, University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration

Thank you to all who applied for the Fellowship!

ORIENTATION 2013 WORDS AND PICTURES FROM A MEMORABLE SPRING WEEKEND

“I thoroughly enjoyed the orientation! It was very refreshing and rejuvenating, and really improved my outlook on a lot of things, including

seeing the good in others.”

“Meeting others in different disciplines was so refreshing and

knowing that they are just as passionate as I am in their

respective communities and projects was truly amazing.”

“I feel like I am more prepared and even more excited about the Fellowship after

attending orientation.”

“I enjoyed all of the activities that allowed the Fellows to get to know each other, and I liked

how many of the activities centered around teamwork.”

“I am really appreciative of the opportunity to go on a retreat with the other Fellows. I was

able to form collaborations with others who have similar

interests as me, and who I think I will be trying to work with more even outside of the Fellowship.”

“I really appreciated the diversity of Fellows; the unity, understanding, and

respect among all of us really inspired me.”

“I enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other Fellows, hear ideas, and learn more

about creating an effective community service project.”

8 | Chicago Schweitzer Fellows Newsletter

In 2012, the Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows for Life Program began offering small seed grants to Fellows for Life to start or sustain projects to help underserved Chicago communities improve their health and well being. The FFL Program is pleased to announce the recipients of eight 2013 Seed Grants.

The 2013 Seed Grants that were awarded include:

$1,600 to Chastity Owens and Ben Preyss, MD to sustain and grow a peer mediation program for 100 high school teens in Auburn Gresham

$2,000 to Hugh Cole and Francois Blumenfeld Kouchner, MD to expand a program addressing social isolation and health disparities among 16 to 24 elders in the Latino LGBTQI community

$2,000 to Lola Coke, PhD, RN and Paul Luning, MD for a Healthy Heart Program for Women with Cardiovascular Disease in the Austin neighborhood

$2,000 to Jill Rosno, MD who is partnering with CommunityHealth to develop educational materials for low literacy and non-English speakers, and to train clinic volunteers to use the materials. In total, 1,000 people will be served by Dr. Rosno’s project

$1,820 to Jamila M. McClinton, who is partnering with Renee Matthews, MD, to work with 43 low income girls age 10-18 on a peer-led program teaching the development of healthier lifestyles

$2,000 to Fasika Alem and Edleda James, who are partnering with Ermias Tilahun, MD, to expand the Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago’s Elderly Program to promote healthy levels of physical activity for older Ethiopian, Bhutanese, and Nepalese refugees and immigrants

$2,000 to Greg Van Hyfte and Kohar Jones, MD, who are partnering with the Chicago Family Health Center to expand its Community Yoga program. The project will serve 60 clients of the Chicago Family Health Center and the CommunityHealth clinic

$1,000 to Stephen Addington and Ayodele Oke, who are partnering with the Lawndale Community Church to expand the “Young Doctors Club,” a health careers pipeline program for 19 underrepresented youth.

Congratulations to the 2013 FFL Seed Grant recipients!

A $20,000 per year grant for three years from the AMA Foundation made funding of the Fellows for Life seed grant projects possible.

The Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program, a collaborative effort of The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship and the Health & Medicine Policy Research Group, provides service learning opportunities and support for graduate level students in health and social service fields interested in working with individuals and communities who are underserved by the health care system. The Program envisions that the Fellows are embarking upon a lifelong commitment to serve the most vulnerable members of our society. The Chicago Area

Program is one of 13 nationwide, and is administered by Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. For further information, visit http://www.hmprg.org, or contact Program Director Ray Wang at (312) 372-4292 ext. 24.

9 | Summer 2013

SEED GRANT RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program Health & Medicine Policy Research Group

29 E. Madison, Suite 602 Chicago, IL 60602 (312) 372-4292

Ray Wang Program Director

Bonnie Ewald Program Coordinator

Margie Schaps, MPH Executive Director, HMPRG

Quentin D. Young, MD Chairman, HMPRG

Arthur F. Kohrman, MD Schweitzer Fellowship Advisor Advisory Council Chair & National Schweitzer Board © 2013 HMPRG

We express our gratitude to:

Baxter International Foundation

The VNA Foundation

Michael Reese Health Trust

Polk Bros Foundation

AMA Foundation

University of Chicago

Loyola University Chicago

Northwestern University

Rosalind Franklin University

Rush University

Midwestern University

Anonymous

and the many individuals and

families who support the

Schweitzer Program.

Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship Events

Friday, July 19 — Schweitzer Fellows for Life Social Networking Event

Appetizers, drinks, and informal conversation.

Thursday, August 1 — Schweitzer Leadership Award

Nominations Due Submit submissions to rwang@hmprg.org. Details on p. 6.

Thursday, August 22 — Schweitzer Summer Fest A fundraiser to help support current Schweitzer Fellows’

community projects. Details on p. 1.

Thursday, September 19 — Symposium on Violence & Women’s Health

October (Date TBD) — Symposium on Violence,

Incarceration, & Racial Disparities Tuesday, November 19 — Symposium on Violence &

LGBTQ health

For information about Chicago Schweitzer Fellowship events

or to RSVP, call (312) 372-4292 x 24 or email rsvp@hmprg.org.

Donations to Health & Medicine

Policy Research Group for the

Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows

Program are tax deductible to the

fullest extent provided by law.

I’d like to donate $________ for the Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program. Name: _______________________

Address: _______________________

_______________________

Phone: _______________________

____ My check is enclosed

(Please make check payable to Health & Medicine Policy Research Group and mail to HMPRG, 29 E. Madison St., Suite 602, Chicago, IL 60602)

Or, visit www.hmprg.org

to donate online!

An anonymous funder has renewed the Schweitzer Program challenge grant!

New donations and increased donations can be doubled until Nov. 2013!

The Schweitzer Program Pays Double Dividends by:

Helping to meet current health needs

Cultivating lifelong leaders in service

“Do something wonderful,

others may imitate it.”