Community-centered Population Health

Dr. Berg mentors students interested in Community-centered Population Health. The community-university partnerships she has developed build health equity and benefit populations who are under-served, un-served and marginalized. Student-agency partnerships help to familiarize all to the possibilities of the role of an OT on community teams to enhance population health. Students develop skills in program development, program evaluation and community engagement.

General Description of Student Activities

Students will have the opportunity to work with one specific community agency to develop, deliver and support effective educational programming to enhance the capacity of current staff and program outcomes. Students will develop skills in leadership, communications, partnership development, program assessment and evaluation, and interagency collaborations. This scholarly experience is in St. Louis City, and personal transportation is required.

Current Project

Dr. Paulette Sankofa is the founder and CEO of Peace Education Action Compassion and Empowerment (PEACE) Weaving Wholeness, whose mission is to help women heal and remain whole. The center is located at 2718 North 13th Street in Old North St. Louis. PEACE has delivered a summer camp program for seniors 60+ years in age who live in the 63101, 63106, 63107, 63108, 63113 and 63115 zip codes. Summer 2019 programming was delivered face-to-face, and summer 2020 programming was delivered remotely via Zoom. Data was gathered pre- and post-camp. We are hoping to expand programming in summer 2021. This project supports Dr. Sankofa in her efforts to build a naturally occurring retirement community (NORC) for this North City area.