Health Services Research Intern in Riverside Center for Excellence in Aging and Lifelong Health (CEALH), Williamsburg, Virginia

I have been working as health services research intern at Riverside Center for Excellence in Aging and Lifelong Health (CEALH) since January 2023. The community-based learning opportunity I engaged through the MPH program as a part of the ‘Applied Practical Experience’ course. CEALH is dedicated to improving the quality of life for older adults by promoting an understanding of the aging process and how it impacts not only older adults in the community. CEALH’s multi-dimensional approach successfully manages a Geriatric Assessment Clinic, Driving Rehabilitation and Evaluations and Health Services Research. I work as a part of the health services research team and support programs and initiatives of CEALH, which allows me to engage in the noble effort of CEPLH to serve older adults with dementia or memory loss, their family caregivers, and professional caregivers through applied research and collaboration. Christine J Jensen, Ph.D., the director of health services research, supervises my work. The primary project I am working on is called the purple flower project, which promotes the importance of dementia awareness, develops positive knowledge and attitudes for patients living with dementia, and promotes dementia-friendly healthcare environmental design. People living with dementia often deal with negative attitudes and stigma from the community and direct or indirect workforce. My primary goal for the project is to build awareness and achieve a change in attitude and culture related to dementia care and promote the quality improvement of dementia services. My journey in CEALH so far has been enriching for me. I learned the positive approach to care for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregiver through a training program from Teepa Snow positive care team. In addition, I can share my knowledge by participating in training sessions as a part of a trainer’s team for acute hospital care staff of Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg and James City Country first responders.

Sustainability Volunteer at Mount Vernon elementary school

Mount Vernon elementary school is located at 310 Mt. Vernon Drive in Yorktown, Virginia. The school is under the York country school division (YCSD). It has 595 students in grades PK, K-5, with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. The school mascot is mustang. As a volunteer at Mount Vernon elementary school, I worked to develop a strategic plan to improve the food sustainability culture in the school. The initiative supported the school division’s forward-thinking and holistic approach to sustainability. The school curriculum promotes sustainability teaching and a culture of sustainable practices. Changing the food culture was the first step towards adopting sustainable practices throughout the school. I aim to provide a list of recommendations to the school committee during the PTA meeting. I regularly visited the mustang cafeteria for three months and worked with the food service staff and planning coordinator. I helped the staff with food serving and cleaning the cafeteria. Schools are one of the best places for the learning experience. I learned leadership traits, teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity in this experience. My knowledge of the nutritional requirements of elementary children improved a lot. I witnessed much kindness in the school cafeteria, which made me happy and stress-free.