- Enhances opportunities for meaningful experiential learning with PennWest's community health programs and initiatives
- Provides interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities through program development and implementation
- Trains students in advocacy and leadership within their discipline, and prepares them to effect meaningful change in their communities
- Empowers students to become highly competent and engaged professionals within their communities
- Inspires students to become engaged PennWest alumni who recognize the value of sustainability and community
Community Health
Pennsylvania Western University is a regional leader in preparing graduates to serve their communities as health care and human services professionals and leaders. PennWest also serves Western Pennsylvania communities directly through a range of health and human services programming. To further strengthen its talent pipeline to regional health care and human services employers and further strengthen its own contribution to whole-person care, PennWest University announces the launch of PennWest Community Health.
Mission
PennWest Community Health supports regional health by pairing programs and services directly addressing the needs of Western Pennsylvanians with community-based, hands-on learning experiences for future graduates.
Priorities
For PennWest students, PennWest Community Health:
For surrounding communities, PennWest Community Health:
- Serves as a hub for the development of health and wellness initiatives through direct on-site service provision
- Supports existing health and wellness activities in off-campus healthcare and educational settings
- Provides quality healthcare education and strengthens the overall health infrastructure
and sustainability of the region
Examples of Current Involvement
- Students and faculty provide speech, language, and hearing services across three on campus PennWest Community Health Speech, Language, Hearing, Feeding, and Swallowing Centers, and through tele-therapy services.
- Students and faculty engage the global community through study abroad opportunities.
- Students engage in experiential learning opportunities through internship/externship placements in their communities.
- Students and faculty design programs for physical fitness and healthy living tailored to individual needs.
- Students and faculty engage in developing and supporting mental health programs and use creative processes to promote self-expression and emotional wellness.
- Students and faculty connect individuals with community resources and social services.
- Students and faculty develop and promote programs to enhance functional abilities and improve quality of life.
- Students and faculty work with programs within the University (e.g., PA Thrive) and outside community partners (e.g., USCRI, United Way, AHN, UPMC, etc.) to promote a range of services and programs.
- Students and faculty work as nurses in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
- Students and faculty participate in advocacy activities for their profession.
- Students and faculty participate in community education activities.
Impact
PennWest Community Health makes a significant impact on the well-being of our communities. By addressing the physical, emotional, and social aspects of health, we work towards creating a healthier, more resilient community. Through diverse student experiences and opportunities, we train students to take their place in their professional communities and attract new students to PennWest.