Athlete Health Organization of Thomas Jefferson University is committed to saving and protecting thousands of student athletes each year. Through our annual screening events and customized in-school events, we have performed over 10,000 free comprehensive health screenings to underserved students in the Philadelphia region.
Community Medicine
Contact
Name:
Department of Family & Community Medicine
1015 Walnut Street
Curtis Building, Suite 401
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Contact Number(s):
Who We Are
We do Primary Care with HEART – for families & communities. Community Medicine is rooted in the rich traditions of the Department of Family & Community Medicine: integrity, compassion, service to others, advocacy and excellence in clinical care, education, research, and community engagement. We are a diverse group committed to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and motivated by Principles of Social Justice, Advocacy, and our common Dignity as Human Persons.
Community Medicine starts with “place.” Philadelphia and its surrounding communities are where we live, learn, work, and play. Philadelphia is a city filled with history and diversity. It is also a city of contrasts and disparities when it comes to its people, neighborhoods, and the health of our more vulnerable populations. The Jefferson Community Health Needs Assessment highlights the differences in health experienced by people of color, those living in poverty or with chronic health conditions like diabetes, depression and anxiety, and addiction. Other residents of our city have special needs for care and advocacy: the elderly, the LGBTQ+ community, citizens returning from incarceration, immigrants and refugees, the homeless, and others.
What We Do
We develop and nurture trusting relationships with patients, Jefferson colleagues, and community collaborators. We focus on PEOPLE, especially those who are vulnerable or marginalized. We look “upstream” to identify personal, social, and environmental factors that can be barriers to health. We listen to the voices of the community, and we partner to pilot approaches that will lead to sustainable improvements. We measure what we do, so we can learn what works and what doesn’t.
“Many hands make light work.” Help comes from medical students, doctors-in-training, our Jefferson clinicians, care teams, researchers and educators; community organizations, advocates, and volunteers; City of Philadelphia leaders, the Philadelphia Department of Health and its affiliated public health agencies; and our Jefferson colleagues with interests in public, community and population health. We are very grateful to all of our community partners who work with us to improve the health of our patients, families & communities.
Athlete Health Organization
JeffHOPE
JeffHOPE is a student-run organization of Sidney Kimmel Medical College that aims to improve access to health care for the homeless and underserved population of Philadelphia, as well as to educate students, residents, and faculty members about medical issues, homelessness and poverty.
Pathways to Housing PA
Finding housing combined with supportive treatment services in the areas of mental and physical health, substance abuse, education, and employment.
Refugee Health Partners
Refugee Health Partners is an interdisciplinary student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson University that trains allied health professionals to practice refugee competent and conscious care while collaborating with refugee communities and the various organizations serving them to improve and advocate for the health and well-being of refugees living in Philadelphia.