Alumni Perspective: Gaining Real-World Skills Through Direct Service

This post was written by CHC alumna Jenny Carson.

Series: Healthy Futures

Jenny served at the American Cancer Society as a Health Educator from 2012-2013.

 

 

Instead of taking an expected career path in nursing, I accepted an internship with the U.S. Senate in Washington D.C. upon graduation from college.  My time spent in Washington D.C. fueled my search for a position focused on implementing public programs assuring preventative services. The search ended when I was accepted as a colorectal cancer screening health educator and screening navigator with the American Cancer Society's Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative in the AmeriCorps Chicago Health Corps.

 

 

Every day I served I eliminated barriers to cancer screening, educated patients on the importance of preventative care, and educated providers on preventative screening guidelines.  I developed the skills to form strategic practices, protocols, and referral systems needed to build relationships amongst health clinics and partnering hospitals.  The most rewarding component of my service was exposure to Chicago neighborhoods and the patients I was impacting on a daily basis.

 

My service allowed me to seamlessly transition into a public health nursing career.  I am now a care manager with a focus on prenatal care and follow-up services for high-risk pregnant Medicaid patients throughout Chicago.  As part of an interdisciplinary team of nurses and social workers integrating a newly funded program into existing obstetrics health care teams, I am able to continue preventative care and health education practices.  I am proud to have served with the Chicago Health Corps and believe my experience in direct service has allowed me to develop unique skills and population-focused approaches to urban health care.