In bustling hospital environments, feelings of isolation can often accompany the chaos. To combat this, initiatives like the Patient Stories Collective are stepping in to provide patients and caregivers with a voice. This quarter, they are among 24 groups receiving Penn Medicine CAREs grants to further their mission. The funding will enable volunteer medical students to be trained and paired with patients from various departments, helping them articulate their health journey through storytelling. Other projects focus on tackling the overdose crisis, reducing social isolation, and addressing mental health disparities within communities.

These programs aim to enhance community well-being by empowering individuals to share their narratives, increasing awareness about life-saving interventions, fostering connections among veterans, and promoting mental health education. Since its inception over a decade ago, the Penn Medicine CAREs Grant program has funded over 1,000 projects, investing more than $1 million to strengthen local initiatives.

Patient Narratives: A Pathway to Healing

This initiative focuses on empowering patients to recount their healthcare experiences using their own words. Medical student volunteers work closely with patients referred from palliative care, oncology, family medicine, and social work departments. Over a month, these volunteers assist patients in exploring and transcribing their stories, which are then presented back to them. For those interested, artistic illustrations accompany the narratives, enhancing the personal connection.

The Patient Stories Collective is led by fourth-year medical student Isabel Yoon, alongside co-leads Grace Wu, Jennifer Guo, and faculty advisor Amanda Swain, MD. Their goal is to create meaning through storytelling, enabling patients across the health system to find solace and empowerment in sharing their journeys. By facilitating a deeper understanding of individual healthcare experiences, this project aims to foster healing and resilience, while also educating future medical professionals on the importance of empathy and narrative medicine.

Community Outreach: Addressing Critical Health Challenges

Beyond patient narratives, other funded projects address pressing health issues such as the overdose crisis, veteran isolation, and mental health access. One project seeks to raise awareness about Narcan training in areas experiencing increased non-fatal overdoses. Karen Brooks, MSN, RN, will use grant funds to conduct workshops teaching participants how to recognize overdose signs, administer Narcan, and follow up with emergency services.

Additionally, The Renegades, a support group for VA patients, continues its mission despite the formal partnership ending. Led by Anthony Davis, they engage in gardening, mentoring programs, and community outings to combat social isolation and chronic illness among veterans. Lastly, Leonie Kurzlechner's initiative promotes mental health awareness in schools, offering first aid training and connecting students to necessary resources. These efforts collectively aim to reduce stigma, improve access to care, and align with Penn Medicine’s commitment to community well-being, all guided by hospital community needs assessments.