GR-MERC Spotlight - Engaged Partners Project
The Engaged Partners Project (EPP) is an interdisciplinary community leadership development program that currently includes undergraduate and graduate learners in medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, and therapeutic recreation in collaboration with community organizations and groups in the Grand Rapids area.
It is the result of 18 months of collaboration between volunteers at Ferris State University , Grand Valley State University , Michigan State University, the Grand Rapids Medical Education & Research Center , and various community-based organizations and neighborhood associations in the greater Grand Rapids area. The primary aims of the EPP are:
- To assist in the development of interdisciplinary educational opportunities for health professions' students, and
- To engage the local communities in activities to promote their own overall health and well-being.
Conceived in response to the national call for interdisciplinary education by the Institute of Medicine (and others), t he goal of the program is to place interdisciplinary teams of health professions learners in the community to assess community health, design and evaluate interventions that promote health improvement.
It is an opportunity for health professions students to:
Gain experience in the development & implementation of interdisciplinary teams;
- Develop hands-on experience in community health research & intervention;
- Measure the health of the community and develop strategies for improvement;
- Improve cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse populations;
- Identify and develop research/project topics;
- Develop experience and leadership skills required for new models of care;
- Serve the community.
Several mini-pilots launched in late 2003 and the spring of 2004 enabled the deployment of student volunteers in interdisciplinary teams, providing a testing ground for program development and implementation. In September 2004, Ferris State University approved the EPP for academic credit. The placement includes a 12-hour orientation, and is designed to occur over one academic term, with an opportunity to extend the students' involvement over subsequent terms. To date, the mini-pilots and community placements have attracted more than 50 learners who have participated in interdisciplinary teams engaged in community improvement activities. A brief description of the current placements follows
Catholic Human Development Organization
Learners work with the Refugee Resettlement Program in assessing the needs of recent African refugees from Sudan , Somalia and Liberia . The placement involves 1) an assessment of medical, social, psychological and educational needs, 2) development of strategies and tactics to respond to identified needs, and 3) development of educational materials for refugees, community-based organizations and service providers.
Grand Rapids Health Ministry Consortium
Learners conduct a survey of 700+ churches and/or faith communities in the greater Grand Rapids area, assessing health and wellness activities currently in place or in development. The placement involves 1) the identification of process and systems required to implement the survey, 2) assistance in the analysis of findings, 3) conducting focus groups to expand understanding of survey findings, and 4) participation in the development of strategies to address opportunities and needs.
Cherry Street Health Services: Health Literacy Project
Learners work to improve the health literacy of staff and the patients served by the clinic, initially focusing on the population of diabetic patients. The team works with health care professionals and patients within the Diabetes Clinic at Cherry Street Health Services' Cherry Street Site, to: 1) Assess patient health literacy needs via focus groups, surveys, and review of patient disease status, 2) Develop strategies, tactics and educational offerings to address identified needs, 3) Learn about Medicaid and other sources of funding, and how community health centers work to find resources in order to help patients access medical care, dental care, mental health care and prescriptions, 4) Evaluate effectiveness of health literacy program and interventions by review of patient disease status looking for improvement and, 5) Develop recommendations for disseminating process and procedures. This project is offered in collaboration with the West Michigan-Area Health Education Center and Michigan State University.
EPP Orientation: Learners volunteering time or receiving credit for the above placements participate in a 12-hour orientation, scheduled over four evenings. The curriculum includes:
EPP Overview, Student Expectations & Fundamentals of Public Health
- Systems Theory, Community Assessment & Epidemiology
- Data Collection, Methods and Outcomes & Cultural Competence
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration, & Transformational Leadership
For more information about the Engaged Partners Project, please contact:
Molly McCarthy, EPP Project Manager
GR-MERC
1000 Monroe, NW
Grand Rapids , MI 49503
Phone: (616) 732-6264
Email: molly_mccarthy@grmerc.net
