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Signature Programs

To create both learners and active citizens, the Center offers a range of opportunities that engage NCOM students and faculty in learning through real-world, community-based problem-solving while also responding to a significant need in the area. The Center supports and administers approved programs to help students complete their CEL requirements. Below are a few examples of CEL programs offered.

Please note:  For an updated list of approved CEL opportunities, please visit our NobleHour portal.

Patient Navigation Programs

The concept of patient navigation was founded and pioneered by Harold P. Freeman in 1990 for the purpose of eliminating barriers to timely cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care. Currently, the patient navigation model has been expanded to include the timely movement of an individual across the entire healthcare continuum from prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and support to end-of-life care. Patient navigation has shown efficacy as a strategy to reduce cancer mortality and is currently being applied to reduce mortality in other chronic diseases. (Harold P. Freeman Patient Navigation Institute)

Students participating in this category of programs will be able to accomplish the following:

  • Develop a deeper understanding of the patient demographics, and social and structural determinants of health through hands-on experiences.
  • Develop a plan by applying health-related beliefs and practices to the development, implementation, and evaluation of community-based programs and services.
  • Develop an understanding of the complexities that exist in linking individuals to appropriate health and social services to improve patient care and community health.
  • Develop a sense of themselves as health care professionals working collaboratively to address a community need.
  • Communicate (written and oral) to Inform, educate, and empower patients and their families about health issues and resources.
  • Foster respect for diversity and inclusion of all individuals

Helping Hands for Forgotten Feet

Rahma Clinic for Compassionate Care

Patient Experience Rounds - PEACE Survey 

Poverello Health Clinic

Community-based Research Projects

Community-based research (CBR) begins with a research topic of importance to the community with the aim of combining knowledge with action to achieve social change (Community-Based Research and Higher Education, Strand et al., 2004, p.3). Students are encouraged to work with community partners to develop research projects under the guidance of an Upstate faculty member to learn more about the design and implementation of effective and accurate research that is both rigorous and useful to specific community organizations or public interest constituencies. Findings can be reported through publications and conference presentations.

Students participating in this category of programs will be able to accomplish the following:

  • Develop an understanding of the fundamentals of community-based research design
  • Adhere to the laws, regulations, policies, and procedures for the ethical conduct of public health research and practice.
  • Pursue diverse means for disseminating research findings; and
  • Develop a plan to translate the findings from research into practice or social action.
  • Foster respect for diversity and inclusion of all individuals

Companionship Programs

The purpose of Companionship programs is to improve the care, health, and well-being of patients and reduce loneliness. Volunteers will provide one-on-one time with patients while also providing respite to the caregivers of those patients. Research indicates that friendship contributes to a person’s well-being: through the provision of companionship in daily life, support during stressful transitions, as well as sustainment of identity under changing circumstances.

Students participating in this category of programs will be able to accomplish the following:

  • Develop an understanding of the psycho-social issues that accompany chronic illness and treatment
  • Develop an understanding of the complexities that exist with various health conditions in getting the patients to a healthier state of physical and mental health
  • Increase social awareness and responsibility to advocate for patients and families
  • Provide supportive services to help patients cope with their health condition(s)
  • Foster respect for diversity and inclusion of all individuals

Intergenerational Connections

Health & Wellness Programs

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” The National Wellness Institute defines wellness as an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a more successful existence.
Students participating in this category of programs will be able to accomplish the following:

  • Assess health behaviors and the environment (social or structural) related to promoting healthy lifestyles
  • Apply principles of program planning, including design, implementation, budgeting, and evaluation to develop programs that promote social and emotional wellbeing
  • Develop confidence and proficiency in communications skills (written and oral) to inform, educate, and empower patients and their families about health issues and resources.
  • Foster respect for diversity and inclusion of all individuals by appropriately attending to cultural competency.

Upstate Community & Wellness Garden

Women's Health Education and Learning (HEAL) Program

Mentoring Programs

Children who succeed despite overwhelming personal, economic and social obstacles do so often because of a caring adult in their lives. Mentoring outcomes include greater participation in school, improved attendance, higher graduation and college admission rates, and better overall performance. (New York State Mentoring Program, 2016)
Students participating in this category of programs will be able to accomplish the following:

  • Build and support positive relationships with youth based on mutual trust, respect, and accountability
  • Develop an understanding of the psycho-social issues that accompany children living in underserved communities
  • Increase social awareness and responsibility to advocate for patients and families

Medical Education for Diverse Students (MEDS)

Reach One, Teach One (ROTO) @ Zonta House

Rise Above Poverty Reading Clinic

RISE After School Mentoring/Folkart

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