Official Newsletter of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s Service-Learning Program
VOL. 1 iSSUE 2 • June 2024
Lauren Roth, M.D.
Holly Nuthmann, L.M.S.W.
Maya Rivera
From the Team
Wrapping Up Block 2
Congratulations to the Class of 2027 for completing their first year of medical school. Over the course of Block 2 the class of 2027 has collectively logged over 5,000 hours of service to our community!
Service-Learning Clerkship
Thank you to all of our Clerkship students who have worked collaboratively with our partners at Friends of Pelham Parkway and Human Development Services of Westchester to throw two incredible community health fairs!
Campus. Community. Connected.
NIDC Soiree
The Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corp. (NIDC) recently held its Annual Soiree, a lively celebration of community and teamwork in the Northeast Bronx. The event showcased NIDC's dedication to preparing youth for successful futures and building strong neighborhoods. The presence of Service-Learning’s students and faculty at the Soiree highlighted the close partnership between NIDC and Service-Learning, showing their shared commitment to helping the community and enhancing education. The Soiree demonstrated the meaningful work being done to create a brighter future for the youth and residents of the Northeast Bronx.
Service-Learning students and faculty attendees at the 2024 NIDC Soiree
HDSW Gala
Human Development Services of Westchester (HDSW) held their annual gala on June 5th celebrating 30 years of HOPE House. HDSW’s HOPE House is a place where people recovering from behavioral health conditions find the support and resources they need to pursue their goals and dreams. The clubhouse program focuses on the abilities and talents of its members concentrating on wellness, recovery and opportunities. At the gala Damara Gutnick, MD, the senior director of Montefiore’s Office of Community and Population Health and a key member in the development of the Service Learning course at Einstein was honored. Learn more about her award in our Kudos section below!
Run for the Wild
Montefiore Einstein was again the proud sponsor of the 2024 Run for the Wild!
This year's 5K Run and 3K Family Fun Run/Walk took place at the Bronx Zoo on Saturday, April 27.
This year, the Wildlife Conservation Society's Run for the Wild is inspired by snow leopards. Today, snow leopards remain ghost-like—only a few thousand of them are left in the wild, stretched across one of the planet's last great wildernesses, the vast hills of Asia, which cover about 3 million square kilometers. WCS continues to play a global leadership role in their conservation.
Einstein students, faculty, and staff participated in this year’s Run for the Wild to show their support for the preservation of snow leopards globally.
Students in Service
Einstein Service Learning students at Food Bank for NYC
Pictured left to right: Mandira Shashank, Arjun Kumar, Avishai Samouha
Einstein Service Learning students at Food Bank for NYC
Pictured left to right: Avishai Samouha, Arjun Kumar, Mandira Shashank
Food Bank for NYC
Students at Food Bank for NYC took an active role in leading a comprehensive food demonstration and nutrition workshop designed to educate community members about healthy eating habits. This initiative took place at Food Bank for NYC’s Harlem location, providing a valuable resource for local residents interested in improving their nutritional knowledge and dietary practices.
Throughout this Block, the students developed and presented a series of nutrition workshops, each meticulously planned to cover various aspects of healthy eating. These workshops were crafted under the expert guidance and mentorship of Melanie Zuniga, a dedicated Community Dietitian at Food Bank for NYC.
By participating in this initiative, the students not only gained practical experience in the field of nutrition education but also made a meaningful contribution to the well-being of their community. Their efforts underscored the importance of accessible nutrition education and the impact it can have on promoting healthier lifestyles among community members.
New Visions Advanced Math & Science II School Logo
New Visions Advanced Math & Science II
“Shout out to CJ Pansa, Joseph Bisulca, Chana Liberow and Eden Sheinin for their amazing work as tutors and mentors at New Visions Advanced Math & Science II. This group visited the school monthly to support our AP Bio students with study skills and to help them on class assignments, as well as support them towards achieving their future goals. In addition, they led an after-school Pre Health Club for students who are interested in careers in health and medicine. Students gained valuable insights into different pathways and fields of study, and got personalized tips regarding the college application process. We were very grateful to have such a kind, energetic and thoughtful group of students for this round of service learning, and look forward to developing the program even more next school year!”
-Daniel Milbrand, Assistant Principal
Service-Learning student, Ariella Goldman
Nicholas Alegre, Ariella Goldman and Shaun Wu reading “Doctor Maisy”, a book on the human heart to children
Service-Learning students with Achilles participants
Service-Learning students with Achilles participants
Yonkers Public Library
“On Tuesday, April 9, Nicholas Alegre, Ariella Goldman and Shaun Wu led an educational workshop "Rethink Your Drink" at the Yonkers Public Library. Using visual aids, they demonstrated how your everyday, favorite beverage is loaded with way more sugar than you could ever imagine. They then offered recipes so patrons could purchase or make alternative beverages at home that satisfy your thirst, but are low in sugar.“
“Ariella, Nicholas and Shaun also helped lead our Tai Chi exercise class for adults age 55 and over. During the program, patrons learned about heart health and how to monitor their pulse. They also took every participant's blood pressure using the blood pressure cuffs offered for circulation by the library. The seniors loved working with the students and asked that they be brought back for another session! After the exercise class, Ariella, Nicholas and Shaun went to the children's library to read "Doctor Maisy" story and a book on the human heart. Kids were then allowed to use a stethoscope to hear a human heart beat. Following storytime, they gave the kids a cartoon picture of the human heart to color. This was such a wonderful event and staff were truly impressed with how well Ariella, Nick and Shaun did with storytelling and engaging the kids. Our favorite moment was a little girl going up to Shaun and asking if she could listen to her stuffed unicorn's heart using his stethoscope. Programs like this are so important because it exposes kids to doctors in a fun way that can make going to a doctor's office less scary. It also exposes kids to the profession!“
-Shauna Porteus, Deputy Director
HOPE Barbeque Fundraiser
Congratulations to the board of HOPE (Homeless Outreach Program at Einstein) for their outstanding efforts in organizing an incredible fundraising event to support their Service Learning site, The Living Room Drop-in Center. This dedicated team worked tirelessly to raise essential funds, which will go towards providing critical resources and basic necessities for the unhoused community members served by the organization. Their meticulous planning and execution of various activities and initiatives ensured the success of the event, highlighting the importance of community involvement in addressing homelessness.
Achilles Bronx Running Chapter
From left to right: Akhil Upad, Sam George, Sophie Factor, Grassroots Grocery CEO and Founder Dan Zauderer, Christopher Bougher, and Jason Marin
The Board for Einstein Buddies includes (from left in the picture below) Tracy Marcelis, Deniz Aygun, Dr. Carol Terilli, PT (Faculty Mentor), Sara Braverman, Dr. Liz Ridgway, OTR (Faculty Mentor), Miles King, and Emily Shir-Hall.
Emily Shir-Hall assisting RFK CERC with crafts
Grassroots Grocery
“Shout out to our whole cohort of Service Learning students who all dedicate so much time and energy to our work! Thank you to Akhil Upad, Christopher Bougher, Jason Marin, Sam George and Sophie Factor. If you are lucky you might find some of these amazing Einstein cohort members at the produce party you decide to attend.”
-Dan Zauderer Founder & CEO, Grassroots Grocery
For more information on the incredible work of Grassroots Grocery please see our CBO Feature Section!
Produce Parties happen every Saturday at 1750 E Gun Hill Rd.
Sign up to volunteer with Grassroots here!
Einstein Buddies
Einstein Buddies is a service-learning site and student-driven club that partners the Rose F. Kennedy Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (RFK CERC) Physical and Occupational Therapy Department with Einstein Medical students. This spring, Einstein Buddies organized and supported various patient and family events.
April 2nd
Einstein Buddies assisted with a "Buddie's Music Event" shared live music demonstration and partnered with the Bronx Music Conservancy to encourage patients and their siblings to try instruments including the Keyboard, Ukulele, Percussion and each participant received their own Recorder to take home.
May 19th
The Einstein Buddies Board assisted the Bernice Morrow Lab and 22Q11.2 Center with their annual "22Q at the Bronx Zoo," an international event that raises 22Q awareness and unity for many regional patients and families directly connected through 22Q.
May 29th
The Buddies led "Summer Bloom" a rock painting and tissue flower craft that decorated the hallways and dedicated garden in the driveway circle of 1225 Morris park where RFK CERC is located.
Clerkship Corner
During the clerkship phase of the Service-Learning course, students partner with community-based organizations to prepare and implement community health fairs based on the community organization’s identified needs. Students also choose from a list of available service opportunities, either reconnecting with organizations they served in their pre-clerkship phase, or serving an organization of their choice to fulfill 20 hours of service during their rotation.
We were thrilled to embark on this new phase of the course with our community partners and students. This exciting chapter allows us to deepen our collaborations, enhance learning experiences, and make a positive impact. The enthusiasm and commitment from everyone involved is making this journey truly memorable and rewarding.
Rotation 1 Clerkship students conducting a blood sugar screening
Rotation 1 Clerkship students at their health fair
Rotation 1 Clerkship students conducting a yoga session
Health Fairs
Our first health fair took place on Thursday, April 18th, in partnership with Friends of Pelham Parkway in honor of Earth Day.
Despite the chilly weather, our students ensured a successful event. The fair featured a variety of informative and helpful stations, including Mental Health Awareness, Hypertension Education and Blood Pressure Screening, Diabetes and Blood Sugar Screening, Nutrition Education, The Importance of Primary Care, and Pollution's Impact on Health. Each station provided valuable health information and services to the community, helping residents understand and manage their health better. The dedication and hard work of the students were evident, making the health fair a meaningful and impactful event for everyone involved.
On Thursday, May 30, our second group of students came together for a vibrant and informative Health Fair in partnership with the Human Development Services of Westchester (HDSW). Attendees received valuable resources and screenings aimed at promoting overall well-being, such as insights into mental health, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, personalized dietary advice, the importance of regular primary care visits, support for quitting smoking, and tips for maintaining oral health.
Attendees appreciated the lively exhibits, considerate giveaways, and informative games, all of which made a significant impression on the Westchester community.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this Health Fair a resounding success!
Rotation 2 Clerkship students
Rotation 2 primary care health fair station
Rotation 2 Clerkship students educating a Westchester community member on nutrition
Rotation 2 Clerkship students conducting a smoking cessation Jeopardy game
Rotation 2 Clerkship students at their health fair
Upcoming Health Fair!
Join Us on July 17th, 2024
3rd year Service-Learning students in collaboration with Harvesting Health Markets, Rap4Bronx, and the James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center (JBOLC) will be hosting another health fair!
Join us at 3266 Bainbridge Avenue between 10 AM and 2 PM for interactive health fair stations and free produce distribution through the Harvesting Health Market.
To learn more about upcoming Harvesting Health Markets, see additional information in The Shortlist below!
Scholarship
NEGEA Conference
Dr. Roth, Ms. Holly Nuthmann, Dr. Ariel Fishman, and Dean Janice Thomas John presented a poster entitled “Community Based Organizations and Students as Partners in the Co-Creation of a Service-Learning 360 Assessment Tool” at the Northeast Group on Educational Affairs (NEGEA) 2024 Annual Conference on May 29, 2024.
PAS Workshop
Dr. Roth and colleagues from institutions across the country presented a workshop entitled “Community Engaged Learning: Getting the Most Mileage for your Milestones” on May 5, 2024 at the Pediatrics Academic Society Annual Meeting. They highlighted different types of community-engaged learning, such as our longitudinal service-learning course, and encouraged participants to consider a multitude of ways to assess learners.
Kudos!
Academic Pediatric Association Early Career Teaching Award
Congratulations to Dr. Roth on receiving the Academic Pediatric Association (APA) Early-Career Teaching Award in Toronto in May 2024 at the Pediatrics Academic Society Annual Meeting. This award recognizes excellence in teaching among APA members, as evidenced by quantity of teaching activities and quality of teaching and engagement in the broader education community. Early career is defined as within 7 years since the completion of training.
Congratulations to our partners Rosy Chhabra and Delaney Gracy with the Montefiore School Health Program
We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to Montefiore School Health Program’s Rosy Chhabra, PsyD, and Delaney Gracy, MD who were both honored with the 2024 Academic Pediatric Association Public Policy and Advocacy Program Award.
Learn more about the incredible work of the Montefiore School Health Program!
Lauren Roth, MD, holding her APA Early-Career Teaching Award
Lauren Roth, MD, holding her APA Early-Career Teaching Award and Rosy Chhabra, PsyD, holding her Academic Pediatric Association Public Policy and Advocacy Program Award
Damara Gutnick, 2024 HDSW Honoree
Congratulations to Dr. Gutnick who was selected as an honoree at HDSW’s Gala in June! June 7th 2024 was declared “Damara Gutnick Day” in Westchester County by Legislator Imamura in honor of her incredible work in the community.
Dr. Gutnick was honored for being a change agent passionate about providing culturally competent, high-quality, patient-centered care delivered in a way that addresses what matters most to each patient. In her former role as Medical Director of the Montefiore Hudson Valley Collaborative, one of 25 Performing Provider Systems in the New York State Delivery System Redesign Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program, Dr. Gutnick guided health system and practice transformation efforts to support the transition toward Value Based Payment, and also managed a diverse portfolio of innovative projects focused on improving health equity including behavioral health integration and crisis stabilization programs.
Dr. Gutnick also championed the spread of the international “What Matters to You?” (WMTY) movement to over 30 healthcare and social service organizations in New York’s Hudson Valley (of which HDSW was an early champion!) and led the creation of a WMTY Implementation Toolkit that has been downloaded in over 43 states and 25 countries across five continents. Gutnick currently serves as the WMTY faculty member for the NYS HANYS Age Friendly Collaborative. An internist by training, she is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers and is ardent about using co-design processes to incorporate the patient and community voice into health care delivery redesign.
Damara Gutnick, MD
CBO Feature
Grassroots Grocery
“Food is joy. And it’s up to us to pass it on. Here’s why.
Only one in four New Yorkers who experience a food emergency access a food pantry, citing both physical barriers – such as transportation and inconvenience – and emotional ones, including stigma, discrimination, or even just dignity.
Grassroots Grocery removes those barriers by bringing the pantry to the people. As a bottom-up movement, we partner with trusted community leaders who distribute food to their neighbors. Whether it’s a Saturday spent delivering produce or bringing your favorite chili to a community fridge, every action helps feed people in need – without sacrificing their pride.
People exist to help one another. When you’re short a cup of sugar, you call a neighbor. And when you can, you return the favor. That give-and-take relationship is the thread that binds our neighbors together, creating a community committed to feeding each other.”
Einstein students and staff volunteering at Grassroots Grocery as part of the MLK week of service.
The Shortlist
Enjoy a preview of exciting events and activities from our upcoming collaborations with our partner community based organizations.
BOLD: Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
BOLD (Bronx Oncology Living Daily) is continuing events through the summer! Events include a Summer Friday Event at St. Mary’s Park, Bronx Pride, Norwood Pride and a Community Board 11 Health Fair!
If you are interested in volunteering, attending or getting involved please reach out to Christina Martinez. If you are a student who is interested in general volunteer opportunities with BOLD you may sign up to volunteer here.
2024 Harvesting Health Markets
The Bronx’s FREE Harvesting Health Markets are back! Hosted by The Bronx County Historical Society, Rap4Bronx, and the Skyline Charitable Foundation, the Harvesting Health Markets provide free fresh produce grown in upstate New York to community members in the Bronx.
Located at the Bronx Museum of History at 3266 Bainbridge Ave. Harvesting Health Markets will occur every other week from June through November! Be sure to stop by the market on July 17th to catch Service Learning students throwing a Health Fair in collaboration with the market!
Learn more about Harvesting Health Markets 2024
Montefiore Adaptive Sports
Montefiore Adaptive Sports will be hosting Adaptive Boot Camp, Adaptive Tennis, and Wheelchair Basketball this summer!
For those interested in volunteering or participating learn more about upcoming Montefiore Adaptive Sports Events here.
Einstein Buddies
Opportunities to volunteer are announced via Canvas, Discord, and by contacting an Einstein Buddies Board member. Hope to see you at our next event: "Let's Playground" to be held during the first week of August 2024.
For more information, email einsteinbuddies@einsteinmed.edu.
Get Involved
How can my organization or event be featured in the Service-Learning Spotlight?
To spotlight your student group or organization, please send us a brief narrative, along with photos and/or videos capturing your activities at the Service-Learning site (if applicable), via email.
While we cherish every submission, please note that being featured is not assured.
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