Overview
We believe that health equity and community health require strong advocacy, collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving skills as well as a nuanced understanding of factors that influence health from a cellular to a structural level. All residents participate in Resident Education in Advocacy and Community Health (REACH). Over three years, our residents:
- Develop skills to care effectively for children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds and communities
- Become effective advocates for patients at the individual, organizational and legislative levels
- Recognize and meet needs for special populations
- Learn how pediatricians can work with the educational system to improve the learning environments of children
- Recognize the role of public health perspective in child health & health equity
- Collaborate with local organizations to improve community health
Curriculum
All residents have dedicated REACH time during their clinic weeks:
- Intern year focuses on learning about our vibrant community and local organizations and exploring your interests, with one half day per clinic week for REACH activities
- Second- and third-year experiences are tailored as you hone your interests to develop a longitudinal community project, with two half days per clinic week for REACH activities
- Graduating residents each share a capstone presentation of their efforts and perspectives gained during Academic Half Day
- All residents engage in advocacy experiences to influence health policy on organizational, local, state, and national levels throughout REACH, including annual trips to Sacramento to talk with elected officials during AAP-CA Advocacy Day
Didactics during clinic morning conference and academic half day feature community leaders, pediatrician advocates.
Mentorship
Dr. Lisa Turman and Dr. Stephanie Fong Gomez are East Bay natives with combined experiences spanning primary and secondary education, public health, nonprofit work, community-engaged research, program development, civic engagement, legislative advocacy, and more. As REACH co-leads, [they/we] are thrilled to help residents grow as community advocates, partners, and leaders and have dedicated time to support residents for REACH.
Sports Equity
Ross Perry (currently PGY 2) has been working with the Positive Coaching Alliance organization in Oakland as part of the Sports Equity Taskforce. The mission is to increase access to sports for underserved youth in Oakland. Ross has been working with the Alliance, Oakland Unified, and other community partners to bring free sports physicals to Oakland students who otherwise may not have a way to get sports clearance otherwise. An event is set for August 2023 in the hopes of making sure underserved youth have less barriers in the way to playing.
