East Montgomery Times

Penn Medicine has awarded 24 CAREs grants this quarter, with funds aimed at bolstering community service initiatives. Among the recipients is the Patient Stories Collective. This project focuses on enabling patients and caregivers to articulate their experiences during hospital stays by pairing them with volunteer medical students. These students will work with patients over a month to document their stories, offering copies and illustrations to those interested. Isabel Yoon, a fourth-year medical student involved in the project, expressed their aim as "to empower patients to tell their stories of their health care experience using their own words."

Joining Yoon are fellow students Grace Wu and Jennifer Guo, and faculty advisor Amanda Swain, MD. The objectives of these projects include addressing the overdose crisis and social isolation, as well as unmet mental health needs. For over 12 years, Penn Medicine has funded more than 1,000 projects with over $1 million through the CAREs Grant program.

Another project focuses on raising Narcan awareness in Norristown, aiming to counteract a nearly 20 percent rise in non-fatal overdoses since 2023. Karen Brooks, MSN, RN, will use the funds for community training on overdose signs and Narcan administration.

The Renegades, led by Anthony Davis, provide support for veterans dealing with chronic illness and social isolation. Despite the end of a formal partnership with the VA, the group remains active, meeting at Bartram’s Garden and engaging with youth through mentoring in schools. Funding will support their activities and community outings.

Additionally, Leonie Kurzlechner is using her funding to promote mental health awareness in schools. Her efforts are directed towards mental health first aid training and improving access to mental health resources, aiming to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and support community well-being in line with Penn Medicine's mission.

CAREs grant recipients are chosen based on hospital community needs assessments, focusing on substance use disorders, neighborhood conditions, and health system navigation. Further details about Penn Medicine's outreach programs can be found on their websites.