National Health Corps Pittsburgh Blog

"To me, Paige is a reminder of many things: that the barriers to good health that individuals face are real and damaging and constantly reinforced by society and those in power, that organizations like Birmingham, and the rest of the NHC host sites, although they are underfunded and understaffed, can provide people with small but effective ways to overcome these barriers, and that resilience, kindness, and optimism, although they may be at times hard to find, are what we need most."

"Being in National Health Corps, it came as no surprise to me that all our members shared my compassion for vulnerable populations and were determined to find solutions to empower individuals and communities to improve health outcomes. What has really stood out to me, however, is just how much heart they have put into their service."

"Even as a woman of color, I do not have the same life experiences as my patients. However, I want to learn more to serve them to the best of my ability and help change the detrimental statistics in maternal and child health. I want to do this by attending monthly talks regarding healthcare or cultural events around Pittsburgh where I will be able to interact with different communities in my area."

One thing that I really admire about the center that I serve in is that no matter what a patient’s immigration, insurance, or financial status is, that patient will be served. Many patients have called the center concerned about their immigration status and worried that they would not be able to come in for an appointment. However, I have always been elated to inform them that all health services are available to them at the center despite their lack of insurance.