Four teams of UMass Chan Medical School students have been awarded Martin Luther King Jr. Semester of Service awards to implement programs that will serve the community. Projects include encouraging wellness among African immigrants in Worcester; improving access to immunization for pediatric patients in Worcester; providing infant care products, health care supplies and information to needy families in Worcester; and helping expand basic medical services at the Worcester Islamic Social Services Center.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Semester of Service Student Award program is a community service initiative that enhances health care education for UMass Chan students as they expand the institution’s impact and reach in local neighborhoods. UMass Chan students will accept awards at the Medical School’s virtual observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 31.
The 2024 Martin Luther King Semester of Service Student Award projects are:
Empowering wellness within Worcester's African communities
Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing student Elizabeth Osa-Agbontaen
Project description: The project will provide blood pressure and glucose checks, as well as education on essential health information such as healthy BMI, nutritional diets and resources for vision and dental care.
Community partners: Anoke Krom Restaurant, Upper Room Family International Church
Improving access to immunizations for non-English-speaking pediatric patients in Worcester
T.H. Chan School of Medicine students Ariba A. Memon, Danielle Heims-Waldron, Neel Patel and Christina Nguyen; and Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing student Joshan Niroula
Project description: This project seeks to improve communication with non-English speaking patients by improving the quality of interpreter services through the integration of Bluetooth-enabled headsets into program workflow and increasing the volume and organization of printed immunization forms in non-English languages. It also seeks to improve patient and family experience during vaccinations through creation of a more playful environment for patients of all cultural backgrounds.
Community partner: Epworth Free Medical Program
Marie’s Mission
T.H. Chan School of Medicine students Jose Garcia-Chope and Fiona Splaine
Project description: Every month, Marie’s Mission provides diapers, infant cleaning products and other needed materials such as clothes or books to more than 200 families. The Burncoat House learning community in the T.H. Chan School of Medicine will setup a monthly health booth at distribution days where they will supply families with additional health information, local free resources and supplies related to a rotating health topic, such as oral health awareness, cold-weather safety and flu season.
Community partner: Marie’s Mission Nonprofit
Growing the Worcester Islamic Center Social Services Clinic
T.H. Chan School of Medicine student Melanie Fu
Project description: This project will utilize funding to provide better clinical services for patients, including phlebotomy laboratory services, physical diagnosis equipment and medications, as well as continue a flu vaccine clinic.
Community partners: Worcester Family Health Center, Worcester Refugee Assistance Project, Worcester Asylum Clinic
