Multi-campus and multi-disciplinary student coalition: A unique opportunity for learning and service

Background: Hep B United Philadelphia is a local coalition and campaign directed by the Hepatitis B Foundation to improve hepatitis B outcomes in Philadelphia through raising awareness, increasing community-based activities and developing care infrastructure. Graduate students in the health sciences are in a unique position to offer skills and services while seeking mentorship and practice opportunities. With this in mind, a sub-coalition was formed to encourage strategic collaborations among students from various programs and universities.

Method: The student sub-coalition follows the Multilevel Approach To Community Health (MATCH) model to achieve its goals: To accomplish the overall coalition goals while providing students with learning opportunities in multi-disciplinary teams and community-based settings. The students plan and volunteer at community screenings, organize public awareness events, and hold on-campus talks to educate peers. While developing activities, students seek out additional learning opportunities such as grant writing and community organizing. Their successes are evaluated through grant evaluation reporting and poster sessions at conferences.

Results: Since November, 2011, the students have successfully planned seven community-based hepatitis B screenings; organized and participated in awareness flash mob and dragon boat race. They also recruited additional student groups into the sub-coalition. Their successes have been presented at student conferences and highlighted in local and academic news outlets.

Discussion/Conclusion: Philadelphia provides a unique landscape with multiple medical schools and higher education institutions within close proximity. The student sub-coalition creates opportunities for students to collaborate with like-minded colleagues across various universities, experience community based health programming, and serving the underserved.