Community Partner : Shepherd ' s Clinic Intern : Indira Summerville Site Supervisor : Jennifer Jiang
What is Shepherd ' s Clinic ?
We provide free , comprehensive health care for those who cannot afford commercial insurance , yet do not qualify for government assistance .
My time at Shepherd ’ s Clinic has been nothing short of extraordinary . Between working with the other volunteers , getting to know our patients , and working on my own project , I have learned so much about healthcare in the nonprofit world , and a lot about myself as well . I joined CIIP for many different reasons , three of the most prominent being : exploring Baltimore with others in my cohort , getting an opportunity to meet Baltimore residents while working to address an issue that is significant to me , and to get a better understanding of what I want to do after graduating from Johns Hopkins . I am honored to say that through my time at Shepherd ’ s Clinic , I have been able to meet those goals , and then some .
My work at the clinic primarily involved the duties of a Front Desk Volunteer , which are essentially to work closely with the Patient Intake Coordinator to schedule and screen patients , as well as organizing their information so that our providers can efficiently treat them . While this may not seem like the most exciting responsibility , it has given me the opportunity to play an active and supportive role in ensuring the clinic runs smoothly , and that all of our patients are taken care of .
Throughout my internship , I was able to witness the effects of the healthcare access disparity firsthand , seeing how they impact different groups based on socioeconomic status , race , citizenship , employment , etc . As a Public Health major , these issues are not new concepts to me . However , at the clinic I have gained a more holistic perspective on how these healthcare disparities impact Baltimore residents in real time , motivating me in my work at the clinic and inspiring me to keep fighting for equity in healthcare access across all demographics .
Overall , I am extremely grateful for the time I have spent at Shepherd ’ s Clinic . I have learned a tremendous amount , both personally and professionally , and have seized the opportunity to get to know some of the wonderful residents of Baltimore City .
Screened new patients and re-screened current patients Served as a liaison between the clinic and Baltimore CONNECT , an umbrella organization connecting multiple nonprofit community-based organizations in Baltimore Created a comprehensive resource with Baltimore community-based organizations to connect Shepherd ’ s Clinic patients with alternative resources to address inequities such as food insecurity , homelessness , and unemployment Called and scheduled patients daily for in-person and telehealth doctor ’ s appointments at the Clinic and at other healthcare facilities within the city
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