“This experience has solidified my desire to keep community health projects at the center of my efforts as a doctor. Specifically related to doulas, I am excited to use my voice as a medical student and physician to support other doulas. I am currently working with a team of NC doulas to create a statewide professional organization, founded on anti-racist principles, that will help coordinate doulas across the state.”
2019 Fellow Abby Peoples
Abby launched a volunteer doula program at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital to provide physical and emotional support during childbirth for Medicaid insured patients. I am currently working with a team of NC doulas to create a statewide professional organization, founded on anti-racist principles, that will help coordinate doulas across the state.
2019 Fellows Thomas Bunning and Sachi Oshima
The Fellows led the Duke Hotspotting Initiative (DHSI) to address the needs of socially and medically complex patients from the Duke Outpatient Clinic by partnering 20 first-year medical students with 10 patients to assist in their longitudinal care coordination and address social barriers to health. As a result, 8 out of 10 patients were seen in the ED fewer times (40% reduction) during the intervention period than in the cognate period before they joined DHSI.
2019 Fellows Emma Astrike-Davis and Michael Batres
Emma and Michael improved access to health care for migrant farmworkers by providing medical interpretation services as well as assistance with health insurance enrollment. They partnered with North Carolina Farm Workers Project (NCFWP) as well as the Benson Area Medical Center (BAMC).
2019 Fellow Constantine Unanka
Constantine built upon Fellow Gabriel's Beattie-Sergio's work to help children with asthma reduce the number of times a rescue inhaler is needed and the number of nights they wake from asthma systems as well as eliminate indoor environmental triggers and connect cases of landlord neglect to a legal team.