Sophia's Portfolio

Today, I had a multitude of tasks that helped strengthen my understanding of healthcare compliance, patient privacy, and community outreach. I started off reviewing the clinic’s policies and procedures related to HIPAA and the protection of PHI. In total, there were 21 policies that I had to go through that showed the importance of confidentiality in a healthcare setting. Throughout my day, I work hand-in-hand with the clinic’s compliance manager, and I am gaining experience on how policies are implemented and maintained to protect both patients and the clinic. Before lunch, I joined a meeting regarding the Google Ad Grants program, which gives health centers $10,000 per month in paid advertising. This program has shown significant increases in patient outreach, which helps individuals access care. These ads are designed to reach specific age groups, income levels, LGBTQ+ communities and include HIV-focused outreach. Additionally, before I left for the day, I helped create new health education brochures to ensure that the information provided is accessible to diverse populations with no language barriers.

Today, my work mainly focuses on outreach and collaboration with my preceptor. I was able to review insights across all of our social media platforms to better understand the audience demographics and provide feedback on engagement. This allowed me to be able to see who we are reaching and how I can improve their communication and outreach efforts. I also assisted with sending emails to my co-workers and those who work at the other two clinics to help support a collaboration with the Athens Diaper Bank. This collab helps patients who are unable to afford diapers by providing accessibility at clinics throughout Athens. I was able to see how these community partnerships can directly impact and address basic necessities and help reduce barriers for those in need. After lunch, I participated in a collaborative call with Georgia Access that included their Engagement Director, Program Analyst, and Program Analyst Assistant. This call had discussions about the importance of the Affordable Care Act and how, without it, insurance gaps will continue to leave many Americans without health insurance. Additionally, this call covered upcoming deadlines for open enrollment and special enrollment periods. They kept emphasizing how important it is for individuals to be able to take advantage of available health insurance options. Overall, today helped me reinforce how important collaboration and outreach can be to address systemic barriers that patients in Athens face every day.

Today, showed me how policy decisions directly affect patient care and the organization’s sustainability. I had to get on a collaborative call with a representative from the Clarke County Health Department to help a patient with a pre-existing condition maintain their health coverage during this interim period. This call showed me why it is so important to have proper communication when navigating gaps in coverage and ensuring that all patients can maintain access to necessary care. I also joined another Zoom call to focus on the recent changes to SAMHSA grant funding. There were many organizations that were impacted by the loss of their funding, and what steps could be taken to advocate for those funds. Ultimately, Congress did end up reversing the proposed $1.9 billion cuts, which allowed these organizations to regain their grant money and continue care. For my last project of the day, I had to work on creating a presentation that outlined key deliverables, potential barriers, and limitations of the clinic. This is important for the clinic because meeting these benchmarks is essential to evaluating progress and ensuring that this organization aligns with its mission and long-term goals.

Today was a much lighter day, but still productive. In the morning, I focused on finishing the presentation I mentioned in my previous daily blog, and everything went smoothly. This day was the last day of open enrollment, so I was focusing on making sure patients who needed assistance were able to get help before this deadline. This is important because it helps individuals who already face barriers to care. I also followed up with the representative from the Health Department, who was able to explain why the patient from yesterday was unable to maintain their health care coverage. After lunch, I assisted in completing the clinic’s quarterly report, which happened to be due today. This report is very strict and plays an important role in documenting the clinic’s progress and outcomes. Overall, today was a very calm day.

Summary of Week 1 Matched with Competencies:

1.2.1: Identify existing data

Review local health data and past outreach evaluations to understand current gaps.

1.3.1: Identify factors that foster or hinder learning

Recognize how language barriers, low literacy, and cultural beliefs affect patients’ understanding of educational materials.

Summary:

By reviewing the HIPAA policies and procedures and PHI-related factors, I was able to see existing organizational data and systems that directly influence how patient care is correctly delivered and protected. I was able to work closely with the compliance manager, who showed me how policies affect patient trust and access to care. I was also able to review social media insights, and by observing patient outreach efforts, I was able to identify factors such as language barriers and access to insurance that could hurt patients’ ability to understand and engage with health information. By completing these tasks, I helped prioritize which populations and specific needs require targeted health education and outreach strategies.

2.1.3: Describe the population of interest
Document the unique needs of families, underserved communities, and rural residents engaging with the clinic.

2.3.4: Adopt, adapt, and/or develop tailored interventions for priority populations to achieve desired outcomes.

Summary:

Because of the continuous outreach and collaboration efforts, I was able to gain a great understanding of the clinic’s priority populations, such as families who are facing financial systemic barriers to care. By planning efforts to assist with the development of educational materials, I was able to ensure that they were tailored for diverse populations. I was also able to ensure that the interventions were better aligned with the needs of the Athens community.

3.1.1: Facilitate equitable access

Help remove literacy and language barriers by preparing alternative formats of educational materials.

Summary:

I was able to help implement health promotion efforts by assisting patients firsthand during open enrollment and making sure they were able to receive support before the deadline. I also contributed to creating health education materials that aimed at reducing language and literacy barriers. Because of this, I helped facilitate more equitable access to healthcare information and services.

6.1.1: Assess communication needs
Observe patient interactions to determine literacy barriers and language gaps.

6.3.3: Tailor the message for the audience
Adapt health education messages that suit different populations by adjusting language, visuals, and tone.

Summary:

By reviewing the social media analytics and helping with outreach and partnerships, I was able to assess the communication needs of the clinic’s audience. I looked at the differences in literacy, language, and accessibility and how they affected patient engagement with health communication. I was informed about how these strategies and materials can be better tailored to meet the needs of every population in the Athens community.

Reflection for Week 1:

When reflecting on my first week as an intern at ANHC, I was very pleased that I was able to see how core health promotion competencies can be applied across different entities. This could be shown through compliance polices, outreach, or supporting patients with their health insurance during the enrollment period. These tasks actively contributed to reducing barriers to care and improving accessibility. Throughout this week, I was able to strengthen my understanding of how these factors, such as assessment, planning, implementation, and communication, actively work together in real-time settings. I am enjoying my time here in the administrative office at ANHC, and I am excited to see the difference between the administrative side and the clinical side.

This week is my lighter week, since I did not have to work on MLK Day. Today, I worked on data analysis, engagement, and documentation. I contacted local trafficking organizations, like Divas Who Win and Street Place, to see if they would be available to be speakers at an upcoming clinic event. Later in the day, I worked on creating graphs to summarize patient feedback, demographics, and gender information. This helps me analyze patterns in patient experiences and see what areas the clinic needs to improve on. I also help my preceptor in documenting incident reports that happen throughout all clinic locations within the past year. These were important because this documentation helps see the safety, compliance, and organizational accountability within this clinic. Overall, today’s activities were very light, and I am glad to be back working at this clinic after a four-day weekend.

Today was a much more productive day, where I had to focus on presentation finalization and organizational documentation. I started off by finishing any last-minute touches to the presentation that I created last week, which was scheduled to be presented that afternoon. I also had an incredible opportunity to meet with the CEO of ANHC. We had a wonderful conversation about how I was doing here as an intern, and at the end, he offered to write me a letter of recommendation if I need one for my graduate schooling. I think it is very important to be able to shake hands when you can because this networking is allowing me to not only meet important figures in this organization, but also, they have all been willing to help me with post-grad opportunities. Later in the day, I had to report the meeting minutes from the last Board meeting that focused on risk and safety within the clinic. I also finalized inputting incident reports and documenting the changes implemented to mitigate future issues for the 2025 program evaluation. This work still needs to be looked over by my preceptor, so I might have to work on it again at another date. Overall, today was a good day for me because I was able to use my professional skills to help gain more resources for myself after I graduate.

Today was another very light day, but I was still productive. I was able to finalize the program evaluation that I mentioned yesterday, making those last edits so it was ready to be used later this evening during a board meeting. After lunch, I created an agenda for the upcoming clinic meeting. This was important because it prepared all of my co-workers to be able to be organized to ensure that the meetings they have are efficient. Even though I did not do as much as usual, I was able to see how administrative work plays a crucial role in the overall functioning of a healthcare organization.

Summary of Week 2 Matched with Competencies:

1.1.1: Define the purpose and scope of the assessment

Collect patient feedback and community survey data to identify barriers to healthcare access.

1.4.2: Prioritize health education and promotion needs

Summary:
By creating graphs using patient feedback, demographic, and gender data, I was able to help organize information in a way that showed patterns in patient experiences. This made it easier to see what areas the clinic may need to focus on improving. Going through incident reports from all clinic locations over the past year also helped me understand where safety or compliance issues tend to come up, which is important when thinking about what areas need the most attention moving forward.

2.2.4: Develop specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) objectives

Summary:
Reaching out to trafficking organizations like Divas Who Win and Street Place was part of planning for an upcoming clinic event. Contacting these organizations helped identify speakers and resources that align with the clinic’s outreach goals and the populations they serve. Being involved in this process, it showed me how planning outreach takes time and coordination, especially when working with outside organizations.

6.1.2: Identify the assets, needs, and characteristics of the audience that affect communication and message design

showed me how important it is to adjust the wayFinishing the presentation, reporting board meeting minutes related to risk and safety, and creating an agenda for an upcoming clinic meeting required me to think about who exactly this information was tailored for. These tasks  information is written and presented depending on whether the audience is leadership, staff, or board members.

Reflection for Week 2:

When reflecting on this week, I realized that even though it was a lighter/shorter week, the work I did was still important. Working with patient data helped me better understand how clinics decide what needs improvement, while reading and documenting incident reports showed me how important it is to track safety and compliance issues. Additionally, reaching out to community organizations and working on presentations also helped me see how much planning and communication truly go into public health work. Overall, this week helped me better appreciate the administrative and systems-level work that supports everything happening on the clinical side.

Today was a very light day since the clinic and administrative offices were closed yesterday due to the snowstorm. When I came in for the morning and checked in with my preceptor, I was told there wasn’t much going on and that work today would be light. I was able to sit through a few calls, but nothing major was discussed. Even so, I still enjoyed listening in and learning how staff, including the on-site physician, communicate during the slower days. Since there wasn’t much to work on, I took some time writing thank-you letters to donors who contribute to the clinic either monthly or yearly. These are important because it helps FTCA clinics continue to provide services for patients who rely on them. After lunch, I reviewed older documents and looked over any upcoming meetings and deadlines to stay on top of things. I also finally got my intern badge, which means I am now able travel among ANHC clinics in Athens. Even though it was a slow day, I was reminded that public health work doesn’t always mean fast-paced work. Even if it doesn’t seem like a lot, it still matters and helps keep everything running smoothly.

Today I traveled to a new site, the ANHC clinic on College Avenue. I started my morning by meeting with the site manager, who gave me a few assignments to work on throughout the day. Because this was my first time being at this site, I was given a tour of the clinic and was introduced to some of the clinicians who work there. This day was a little different than usual because I normally work at the administrative office, and today I got to be more involved on the clinical side. My first assignment was to create a couple of tabletop templates that help explain when managers are needed during situations such as severe weather or irate patient incidents at this clinic. Then, I worked on creating posters in Spanish and English that explain what patients need to bring with them when they arrive, and how early they must be in order to keep their original appointment. This helps communication by reducing confusion and making clinic visits run more smoothly for both parties. Overall, today was another light day since the head physician wasn’t in, so I wasn’t able to fully see how the clinic runs. I am very excited that I got the opportunity to work at another site. This setting allowed me to see how health promotion and communication strategies can be applied across different sites. I hope to be at this clinic more often because it helps me tie in the clinical side of the administrative work I usually do.

Today was a good and light day, and I was able to spend it at the College Avenue clinic again. My main assignment today was to go to each patient’s room and make sure they filled out the feedback survey form. This allowed me to introduce myself as an intern and explain why it is important for them to fill out these forms. I personally enjoyed doing this because I was able to interact with patients directly. After collecting these forms, what usually happens is that I take the responses and turn them into graphs. These graphs show factors like gender, ethnicity, and how patients felt about their appointment and the clinic overall. Statistics like these are important to my preceptor because she is required to put them in board reports on patient experiences and see how the clinic can improve. Even though I wasn’t super busy, I liked that I was allowed to connect with patients. I am hoping that I will be able to return to this site soon because I have enjoyed being able to work on the clinical side of this internship.

Summary of Week 3 Matched with Competencies:

2.4.2: Develop materials needed for implementation

Summary:

This week, I created tabletop templates for clinic management during severe weather and irate patient situations to improve the clinic’s preparedness and organization. I also developed bilingual patient posters that outlined appointment requirements, which contributes to smoother clinical operations by communicating what expectations are required for patients before their visits.

4.3.2: Implement data collection procedures

Summary:

I collected patient satisfaction surveys that were completed, which helps properly support the clinic’s evaluation process. I also assist in organizing survey responses into graphs, which makes patient feedback into information that can be used in board reports and quality improvement among the clinics.

6.1.2: Identify the assets, needs, and characteristics of the audience that affect communication and message design

Summary:

During my time at the College Avenue clinic, I was able to consider language needs and health literacy when creating materials in both English and Spanish. The materials created help reduce confusion, improve patient flow, and ensure information is accessible to a diverse patient population.

Reflection for Week 3:

During this week, I was able to see both sides of clinical interactions and what goes on during administrative support. Even though this was a lighter week, I was still able to observe what goes on behind the scenes and how important routine tasks are in keeping this organization running. I was also able to work at a new clinic that showed me how communication and health promotion strategies have to be adapted in different settings. Additionally, I was able to interact with patients directly while collecting feedback to help the administrative side see how patient experiences shape clinic improvements. Overall, this week deepened my understanding of how communication and evaluation are all connected to support effective and equitable healthcare delivery.

Today I was back at the administrative office, finalizing work I had been working on the previous week. I completed the Incident Command System (ICS) and reviewed it with my preceptor to make sure it was within the clinic’s policies and expectations. Since a lot of the work I do at the administrative level impacts the clinic directly, I must ensure that everything is accurate and tailored to the clinic’s mission. I was also able to work on creating evacuation plans for all clinic locations, including the administrative office. This is important because having the emergency procedures in place helps protect both patients and staff in unfortunate situations. After lunch, I sat through a few calls related to other clinic locations. Even though there isn’t anything major to add to this blog, it was still informative and helped me understand how the different sites communicate when it comes to important matters. Overall, today showed me how planning and preparedness play a major role in promoting health and safety across the entire organization.

Today was a more flexible day for me since I was given time to work on my academic assignments, because I had a few deadlines coming up and there wasn’t a lot of work to do in the morning. This was very productive for me because it has been a little hard balancing my internship, schoolwork, and my other job that I work outside of this internship. After working on my assignments, I had to complete two required training courses for the clinic. The first one focused on blood-borne pathogens and why it is important to understand exposure risks and what protocols to follow in a clinical setting. The second training focused on incident prevention and what to do if there is an emergency at one of the clinics. These trainings helped my understanding of how clinics work tirelessly to protect patients and staff while still maintaining a safe environment. Overall, today might not have been one of my heavier days, but it still showed me how I can stay on track academically while also completing required tasks at hand.

Today I spent my morning clearing off my desk and organizing papers that had been piling up throughout the week. I was able to reset since a lot of my work here at this office tends to be paperwork-heavy. I then worked on creating graphs that summarized the yearly incident reports from all three clinic locations. These graphs highlighted patterns related to safety and compliance, which are important for where improvement is needed. Later, I helped with writing the first quarter 2025 report. This is very difficult, but I was able to work with the QA/QI manager to ensure all information was accurate. I liked doing this because it helped me understand how data is used at the administrative level to evaluate the clinics’ performances. I was also able to sign up the clinics to participate in upcoming community events such as the Pride Parade and Hot Corner events. These are important because they allow the clinics to engage directly with the community and increase awareness about services available to underserved populations. Overall, today was great because it showed me what can help support health promotion efforts. These projects all play a role in improving safety and community outreach across all clinics.

Summary of Week 4 Matched with Competencies:

1.2.1: Identify existing data

Summary: 

This week, I worked with existing clinic data by organizing and analyzing yearly incident reports from all three clinic locations. I created graphs that highlighted trends related to safety, compliance, and clinic operations. This helped identify patterns that can help quality efforts and support the administrative side. I also used existing data while assisting with the first quarter 2025 report, which helped me better understand how clinics track performance over time.

2.1.3: Describe the population of interest
Summary:
Registering the clinics for community events such as the Pride Parade and Hot Corner events helped support outreach to underserved populations. These events are opportunities for the clinics to connect with diverse community members, increase awareness of available services, and reduce barriers to care.

3.3.2: Assess progress in achieving objectives

Summary:

By helping complete the first quarter 2025 report and organizing incident report data, I contributed to evaluating how well clinics are meeting safety and operational goals. Working with the QA/QI manager allowed me to see how progress is measured at the administrative level and how data is used to guide changes that improve clinic effectiveness and patient safety.

6.1.1: Assess communication needs
Summary:
Through reviewing reports, organizing documents, and participating in administrative planning, I was able to better understand how communication needs differ across clinic sites and community settings. This helps me understand how clear communication supports patient safety. 

Reflection for Week 4:

This week allowed me to see how important the administrative side of healthcare is to health promotion, even if it isn’t direct patient interaction. I was able to work with the QA/QI management to help me understand how clinics evaluate their progress to develop improvements needed. Overall, I was reminded how health promotion can be seen in many forms, contributing to systems that support equitable and effective healthcare delivery. 

Today I was in the office shorter than usual because my preceptor had to attend a board meeting. During the morning, I had looked through older patient education materials used in this office and assessed whether they aligned with health promotion, especially regarding accessibility, and were tailored to cultural needs. I was able to think about the importance of correct health information and why it needs to be properly communicated in diverse populations. I also had time to organize and update our resource list that helps connect patients to non-profit community services. This was important because it shows why it is crucial to have a local clinic linked with public health systems, since resources play a key role in addressing social determinants of health. Even though I didn’t have a full day today, I was still able to contribute to efforts that strengthen and reinforce the clinic’s role in addressing needs and improving patients’ access to resources.

 Today, I focused on putting together the 2026 outreach event schedule for ANHC through June, since this clinic serves as a non-profit at local community events. These events are used to increase awareness, prevention, and access to health resources for everyone. I then worked on transforming tabletop assessments into realistic scenarios that would be used to evaluate the clinic’s staff responses if these scenarios were to happen. These scenarios help strengthen the clinic’s preparedness and ensure that the staff is able to respond effectively to high-stress situations. Overall, it was important for me to realize that health promotion can include strategic planning and interventions that support safe environments and healthier communities. 

Today was a little different from my usual routine, but I enjoyed the time. I started my morning by reaching out to Divas Who Win to see if they could speak to the staff about who they are and the services they provide. This is important because building community partnerships helps the clinic connect patients with resources beyond their care. Later in the day, my preceptor and I attended the ribbon-cutting event for Golden Pantry. This business has a mission to provide financial support to non-profits and schools in Athens through the Be Golden Fund. It was attended by Chambers of Commerce ambassadors and several local business owners, making it a great networking opportunity. I enjoyed seeing how invested the Athens community is in local growth. We were also able to represent our organization and share what this clinic does. This helps improve visibility and allows for a partnership that can benefit the clinic. Overall, today was able to see how collaboration and community engagement are necessary for local businesses to thrive.

Today was a nice, light day. I started the morning by checking emails and going through any work that didn’t get done throughout the week. Thursdays have become my reset day, where I focus on clearing my desk and ensuring that ongoing projects are organized and up to date. My preceptor let me go through healthcare collaborators and other businesses that help out the ANHC. I was able to see information on those organizations that support the clinic through referrals, outreach, and services. By maintaining relationships with community partners, ANHC is able to extend its reach beyond the clinic and address broader disparities that impact our patients. Later in the day, I worked on recent outreach attendance data and created a spreadsheet to identify which events had the highest community engagement. This was important because it shows why data collection and evaluation are crucial to health promotion since they help with future implications. Overall, I enjoyed looking into outreach and seeing how these all tie into supporting effective health promotion initiatives.

Summary of Week 5 Matched with Competencies:

2.3.1: Assess the suitability of existing materials

Summary:

This week, I was able to review old patient education materials to see if they were properly aligned with health promotion, accessibility standards, and the cultural needs of the Athens community. By evaluating all the factors such as literacy level, relevance, and clarity, I was able to ensure that all the materials that this clinic uses are helping to support diverse patients and reduce overall barriers.

2.3.4: Adopt, adapt, and/or develop tailored interventions for priority populations

Summary:

I was able to support efforts to tailor outreach initiatives towards underserved populations in Athens. By organizing the outreach schedule and reaching out to healthcare collaborators, I was able to ensure that these community events help the clinics’ services and prevention resources reach individuals who face barriers to care. 

3.3.2: Assess progress in achieving objectives

Summary

By analyzing outreach attendance data and creating tabletop exercises, I was able to help evaluate both community engagement efforts and clinic preparedness. I reviewed participation trends and clinic preparedness, which support ongoing accountability within the clinic.

Reflection for Week 5:

This week, I was able to see how important it is for organizations to plan and evaluate, and why it is tied to effective health promotion. By reviewing educational materials, I was able to ensure that all information the clinic puts out is accessible and culturally appropriate. With the outreach events, I was reminded how important it is to build community partnerships and to see how health promotion can be seen outside the clinic’s walls. I was also able to analyze outreach data and measure the clinic’s preparedness, which emphasizes the importance of evaluating and planning to further improve the overall impact.

Today, I started my day with filing credentialing and privilege reports, as well as ACE community advocacy forms. Even though this can feel redundant some days, it’s important to see how clinics stay maintained to ensure that providers are properly authorized to deliver effective care. Additionally, ACE is a program that creates a culture of advocacy to ensure policymakers at all levels of government commit to investing in the affordable, equitable, and innovative care that health centers provide. These clinics are able to get involved with advocacy efforts that can influence health policy and funding at a systems level. I then went through and organized the emergency preparedness forms and reviewed what was outdated. These protocols are important because it helps the clinic respond efficiently during tense situations. Later in the day, I created sign-up forms for staff to participate in upcoming service events where ANHC serves as a non-profit organization and shares what the clinic provides. These events are important to show face at because it helps increase access to care and awareness.

Today was a shorter day because I had to go to my other job afterward, but I was still able to be productive. I started my morning by creating an employee satisfaction survey within FTCA guidelines to assess how staff are feeling about specific workplace factors and to see what areas need improvement. This is important because staff satisfaction directly impacts the quality of care and overall organizational effectiveness. Then, I was able to join a call with Divas Who Win and put together a speaker request form to see if there was a possibility of them talking to the staff. I also reached out to the Center on Human Trafficking Research and Outreach as another option, just in case our initial speaker falls through. The goal of this is to have these organizations educate the staff on recognizingthe red flags of human trafficking among patients. This is important because providers usually serve as the front lines when identifying individuals and being able to intervene effectively. I finished off my day by attending St. Mary’s Hospital’s ECRC meeting with my preceptor, where they gave updates on the hospital, highlighted organizations, and discussed the overall state of the community. This shows that collaboration between healthcare systems can help to strengthen the overall public health infrastructure. Overall, even though my day was shorter, I was able to experience new things, such as the meeting, and see how collaboration can improve community health outcomes. 

Today, I spent the morning creating more charts and developing surveys that were related to patient outcomes and provider performance. Even though this is data-focused, I still think it plays an important role because I can identify patterns among patients and ensure that the services offered improve long-term health outcomes. Then, I reviewed the referral follow-up process to identify any barriers to patients’ access to outside specialists and community services. I came up with a few ways to improve communication to make sure that patients do not encounter issues. I finished off my day by listening in on a patient grievance call to see why it happened and to go through the next steps regarding this problem. Since this is a grievance, an investigation will need to be opened to ensure that all aspects of this are resolved. Overall, today reinforced why it is important to go through multiple steps to accountability and protect patient rights. 

Today, my morning was very busy, since I needed to leave earlier than usual. I started by attending two meetings that focused on recent incidents, overall clinic performance, and departmental reports across ANHC. These were able to help me understand a broader perspective on how each department contributes to patient care and safety. I then wrote the meeting minutes for the second meeting to ensure that all departments would have access to the information that was shown, including follow-ups. The last thing I did before I left was edit several ANHC policies to ensure that dates were current and information was correct. I had to create some documents, specific policy sections, and have places for documentation if the policy is violated. Having up-to-date policies helps create a safe environment where quality care can be delivered. Even though I didn’t have a lot of time today, I am still glad I was able to observe how all departments collaborate to ensure ANHC runs the way it needs to.

1.2.1: Identify existing data

Summary: 

Throughout this week, I worked with existing clinic data through credentialing reports, emergency preparedness documentation, patient outcomes, and provider performance surveys. I also listened in on a patient grievance call to understand how accountability is maintained. With the existing documentation and reports, I was able to support quality improvement and patient safety.

2.3.4: Adopt, adapt, and/or develop tailored interventions for priority populations

Summary:

This week, I was able to support outreach and advocacy efforts by creating sign-up forms for community service events and coordinating educational speakers on human trafficking awareness for clinic staff. This is important because it helps make sure that providers are equipped with knowledge on what to do in these situations and how to connect patients with the appropriate resources.

3.3.2: Assess progress in achieving objectives

Summary:

By creating employee satisfaction surveys, I was able to contribute to evaluating how well the clinic is meeting its safety and quality goals. I was also able to participate in meetings that focused on incidents and departmental performances that showed me how leadership assesses progress and how improvements are made to strengthen overall effectiveness. 

Reflection for Week 6:

This week, I was able to see how accountability, preparedness, and collaboration help health promotion be effective. I got to see how systems-level work to protect patient rights and ensure quality care. I gained a deeper appreciation for how effective advocacy and strong partnerships are vital to the public health framework. Although I do a lot of administrative work, I am still able to see how it supports safer environments, improves patient outcomes, and keeps providers accountable.

This week is a short one for me because I had Monday and Tuesday off while my preceptor was out of the office for personal reasons. Even though it wasn’t a full week, I still wanted to make sure I was being productive. Today, I was able to secure another outreach opportunity for ANHC, which makes it the 10th outreach event I have found and organized so far. Outreach is so important because it allows the clinic to meet individuals instead of expecting them to come to the clinic. It’s often the case that individuals might not be aware of the services ANHC offers, or might not have the resources to get there. These events allow for increasing visibility, reducing barriers to access, as well as giving the clinic a chance to provide educational resources in a more easy-going setting. After, I updated resource materials like the patient-facing handouts to make sure everything was formatted correctly. Even if this seems small, this helps us ensure that patients understand what’s being told to them and how we can support better health literacy and patient outcomes. My preceptor did have to leave early today for personal reasons, so I was able to finish my day earlier than usual.

Today, I started my morning by creating more Google Form sign-up sheets for the two new outreach events I found yesterday. These forms help ensure that staff are prepared to represent ANHC at these events. I will hopefully be able to attend around four to five outreach events before my internship ends, which is exciting because it allows me to directly engage with community partners and connect individuals with essential resources. I then spent time organizing all quarterly assessment reports from 2025 based on findings from each site visit. These assessments are important because they help provide continuous quality improvement and accountability. It ensures health centers maintain the standards set. Overall, both tasks are essential to a sustainable health system and promote long-term health outcomes.

Week 7 Summary & Reflection

1.1.1: Define the purpose and scope of the assessment

Summary: 

This week, I organized the 2025 quarterly reports since these will be looked at later on in the month. I was able to see how the clinic is performing, what areas might need improvement, and how the data helps to overall quality improvement. This helped me understand what the purpose of these assessments was and how evaluation supports effective and sustainable health promotion efforts. 

3.1.1: Facilitate equitable access

I was also able to find new outreach opportunities for ANHC and created forms for staff to fill out before attending. This helps all staff to stay organized because the events are all planned thoroughly for them, and it ensures that there us eqytiable acces to care and health information for the community. 

Reflection for Week 7:

Even though this was a shorter week for me, I was still able to focus on opportunities that directly support public health. Through quarterly reports, evaluations, and outreach events, I am constantly reminded how broad health promotion can be and how it follows you everywhere you go. This week helped me see how assessments and community engagement work hand-in-hand to improve accessibility and reduce barriers.

Today, I spent my morning going through patient demographic data and comparing it to reports that show which services are being used the most. I was able to organize everything to see who comes into the clinic and who doesn’t use specific services. Then, I compiled a brief summary that highlighted any potential gaps in preventive services. These services include annual appointments and routine screenings. This is important because it allowed me to recognize who was essentially “being ignored” and what we can do as a clinic to help these groups take full advantage of these services offered. Overall, I was able to see where gaps were and what intentional decisions can be made to support equitable care for the community.

Today, I started my morning by creating a slide deck on the FTCA application process and outlining how staff in specific departments should respond when submitting important documents. This ensures the clinic can continue providing affordable, accessible care to the Athens community. I then created an updated complaint and grievance form that allows the clinic to be more prepared when these situations arise. Addressing the grievances helps maintain patient trust and ensures that patient rights are protected. In the afternoon, I reviewed many ANHC policies and organized them based on what is required for the FTCA application and what can be filed away. Finally, I spoke with the primary provider at the College Ave clinic, who told me I can start the clinical side of this internship next month. This is exciting because it brings me closer to my long-term goal of being in the medical field and gaining hands-on experience.

Today, I started my morning by finishing up the final edits on the slick deck I created yesterday, since the meeting was scheduled for early afternoon. I made sure each department responsible for uploading to this application understood, and it was still easy to follow. Afterwards, I updated and created another graph for the 2026 reported data that we have received so far. This is important because it allows the clinic to see where improvements are needed and to see any trends. I then sat in on the 12 p.m. meeting, which went straight into the 1 p.m. meeting. These meetings focused on updates, performances, and ongoing initiatives within this clinic. I was able to finish my day a little earlier because my preceptor had to leave for personal reasons.

Weekly Summary/Reflection:

This week, I was able to see how assessment and administrative organization contribute to effective health promotion within clinics. Analyzing data and service utilization showed me how important it is to see where the gaps are in preventive care, so that clinics can prioritize the populations that may not be receiving services. I was also able to work on presentations and review policies, which showed me how evaluating supports compliance and ensures that the clinic has what it needs. I also worked on updated forms to ensure that information is communicated to both patients and staff so that everything is easy to follow. Overall, I always enjoy seeing how data helps to support equitable healthcare and improve patient experiences.

Competencies of the week:

1.4.2: Prioritize health education and promotion needs

2.3.1: Assess the suitability of existing materials

6.3.3: Tailor message for the audience

Today was my first day back after two weeks off for spring break and being sick last week. I started my morning by opening my new email account and going through training videos since we are in the middle of an application season. After, I spent the rest of the day inputting data into an Excel sheet that tracks employee training completion over the past year. I was able to spot some gaps and flagged them so my preceptor could follow up. This information is required for an upcoming application and is also important for maintaining quality standards in the clinic. It also helps the clinic maintain a strong foundation, which allows the clinic to continue offering accessible and equitable care for those in the community. 

Today was a busy day for me. I start off by creating any new outreach sign-up forms that have been planned within the last week. I then created separate credentialing and privileging lists for all providers and clinical staff across the clinics. These standards ensure that patients receive care from qualified professionals. Since there were new complaints, I filed those and made sure they were reflected on the board’s side. After that, I worked on editing the offboarding checklist I had created based on feedback from board members. I also made corrections to last month’s meeting and wrote out the finalized version of the most recent meeting. For lunch, I went out with the administrative staff to celebrate a coworker’s birthday. This was a nice change since I usually go home for lunch. After lunch, I started working on the second quarterly report that is due within the next two weeks. I feel a lot more comfortable inputting and organizing the required data, since this is my second time doing this.

Today, I spent my morning putting together a presentation that would be presented later in the day. I also worked on data input for the quarterly review. Even though this is taking some time to finish, it should be completed well before the deadline. Later, I joined a meeting with my preceptors that focused on organization and ways the clinic can improve. These discussions are important because improvement ensures that care is equitable to community needs. For lunch, I was able to attend an organization-wide luncheon celebrating the opening of the ANHC mobile clinic. This is big because it increases access to care for underserved populations. I ended my shift with a new ANHC quarter zip and new connections, which made the day even more rewarding.

Today, I started by emailing my second preceptor, who will be taking over while my first preceptor is on vacation. I will be on the clinical side of the organization for the remainder of my internship, which I have been waiting for. I then worked on finalizing the second quarterly report. This did not take as long as the first report since I am now more comfortable with the data being used. After lunch, I attended meetings with my preceptor that focused on an upcoming application deadline and its expectations. Finally, I created a calendar for providers so they can easily be able to tell which students will be working with them and how long they will be there. 

Weekly Summary & Reflection:

This week, I analyzed employee training matrices and found gaps in completion that would hurt clinic operations. I was able to plan and organize by creating outreach sign-up forms, developing schedules, and working on the second quarterly report. I worked on editing checklists, updating meeting minutes, and creating presentations. I was able to think about how information is shared across departments and ensure all networks are effective. This week helped me see communication and data tracking, and how they can relate to health promotion. This week overall showed me that these tasks directly impact accessibility, maintaining standards, and supporting healthcare delivery.

Competencies of the week:

1.4.2: Prioritize health education and promotion needs

2.2.4: Develop SMART objectives

6.1.1: Assess communication needs

Today, I started by sending my preceptor a presentation with all the upcoming outreach events, including flyers, so the board of directors could see which events they might be able to attend. Next, I worked on inputting names of board members and other ANHC employees into the ACE program. ACE is an advocacy program that provides tools and resources to strengthen relationships among health center advocates, staff, board members, elected officials, and other stakeholders. After that, I worked on redoing an authorization form and updated a policy, correcting old formatting and wording. My final project of the day was creating flyers for the Hilsman Health Center so that students and parents can easily see what services the clinic offers. To make the information accessible for all, I also created a separate flyer in Spanish.

Today, I started by finalizing the poster I created for Hilsman Health Center, and it was sent out to be posted around the school. I then had time to work on my school work and catch up while my preceptor stepped out to take care of errands. Once she came back, we started working on uploading documents for the FTCA application and reviewed quarterly reports to ensure all interventions were completed and audits were met. My day wasn’t as busy today, but I did get my schedule for the remainder of my internship, so I am excited for next week.

Today, I started by putting away more policies and MOUs for universities. These documents are necessary because they allow students to come and complete their required hours. I then created an event flyer for the upcoming prostate screening mobile clinic happening in April. I made one in English and another in Spanish to help reduce any language barriers. This event will provide free blood tests for males to screen for prostate cancer. This is important because there is a lot of misinformation surrounding prostate cancer screening. Many men believe an exam is always required, when a simple blood test can detect it early. We also recently found out that the clinic will be having an FTCA visit in the upcoming months, so everything must be filed correctly and organized.

Today, I started by cleaning out my desk and organizing all the materials I used throughout this semester. Since this was technically my last day working in the office until the 27th, which is my final internship day. I also compiled all the folders and projects I created so they could be properly filed in the intern section. It was also a light day because it was the last day before my preceptor leaves for vacation, so we focused on tying up loose ends and making sure she still had access to everything while she is abroad. Reflecting on my time in the administrative office, I am really grateful for all of the opportunities I was given. I was able to learn so much about the behind-the-scenes work that keeps a healthcare organization running, while also gaining hands-on experience in health promotion. I will be at the College Ave clinic starting Monday, and I am so excited to see more of the clinical side. 

Weekly Summary & Reflection:

This week helped me see how important it is to tailor to specific audiences and how to communicate correctly. I created flyers and outreach materials that showed me how accessibility in healthcare makes such a big difference in patient understanding. I also gained more experience reviewing nd updating policies and documents, which helps with processes such as the FTCA application. Additionally, I worked on advocacy efforts through the ACE program and prepared materials for the board, which shows that health promotion can be shown in administrative areas. I understand now how important it is to have behind-the-scenes tasks because they are tied to supporting the clinic’s ability to provide equitable and effective care to the community.

Competencies of the week:

2.3.4: Adopt, adapt, and/or develop tailored interventions for priority populations

6.3.3: Tailor the message for the audience

2.3.1: Assess the suitability of existing materials

Today was my first day back at the Clinic Ave clinic. The structure for the rest of my internship has changed, and I now have two preceptors that I will be working under until my last day. I will be splitting my time here between clinical and back-office work, which will allow me to get hands-on patient experience while also contributing to the administrative side when needed. Since my clinical preceptor was not in, I worked with the site manager for the day. We started by attending some meetings about the upcoming inspection and discussed what the clinic needed to do to ensure all staff were aligned with the new expectations. Afterwards, I sent out emails regarding an upcoming patient experience survey, including instructions on how patients can access the online portal. This is important because it is required by HRSA, and it also helps the clinic understand patient needs and implement changes where necessary. 

Today was another day working in the back office, since my other preceptor was still out. I spent the morning creating small posters for patients with newborns that provide information on available resources. This is important because not all new mothers are aware of these resources. I also started going back into patient rooms to ask individuals if they would be willing to complete a survey about their experience at the clinic. This is something that I will be doing frequently over the next few weeks to gather data on a variety of patients. Even though I am not fully in a clinical setting yet, I am still able to strengthen health promotion efforts through my actions. 

Today was a slower day since the clinic stopped seeing patients at 11 am, so staff can catch up on charts and other tasks they might have fallen behind on. I was also able to speak with my clinical preceptor about my schedule, and I will officially be starting my clinical work tomorrow. I’ve been waiting for this transition, and I am excited to gain more hands-on experience and see how the admin work connects with the clinical. I then spent some time sending out sign-up forms for outreach events over the next two months. Afterwards, I worked with the CFO to develop questions for another patient survey that is focused on understanding the sliding scale and how patients feel about the cost of care. This is important because it can show the clinic barriers and how they can improve access to care for those in low-income communities.

Today I finally got to work on the clinical side of ANHC, which was really exciting. I worked alongside the nurse practitioner and was able to see around 12 patients throughout the day. One of the most exciting moments for me was being able to hear a heart murmur for the first time. Since they can be difficult to detect, it was a great learning experience and helped me build my clinical assessment skills. I also assisted a patient in filling out a financial assistance form that will allow uninsured patients to receive specialist services at little to no cost. This was especially meaningful because cost and lack of insurance are major barriers to care, and helping patients access these resources directly supports health equity. 

Weekly Summary & Reflection:

This week was so meaningful and exciting for me because I was able to transition from administrative work into the clinical side of the clinic. I was able to see the direct impact of my behind-the-scenes work and how it directly connects to patient care. By collecting patient survey responses and developing survey questions, I was able to focus on different populations, understand how they understood health information, and identify barriers to care. I was also able to make an impact on the clinical side by assisting a patient with a financial assistance form, which showed me firsthand how cost can be a major barrier and how a single form can make such a difference regarding accessible care.

Competencies of the week:

1.1.1: Define the purpose and scope of the assessment

6.1.2: Identify the assets, needs, and characteristics of the audience that affect communication and message design

3.1.1: Facilitate equitable access