Today you will hear about the versatile ways in which transgender patients access healthcare, whether it be through primary care, or specialty endocrinology care. Listen along as the multi-talented clinician Britta Shute, FNP-BC walks us through her experience treating transgender patients, and how her practice has changed over the years and in light of ever-evolving legislation. This podcast is hosted by Claire Surkis, a second year at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and Lauren Barber, a third year at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

In the fourth and final episode of the Roe v. Wade series, you will learn how to become a strong advocate for reproductive rights. UConn School of Dental Medicine student Aysha Hoang and UConn School of Medicine Student Claire Surkis interview Jessica Puk, founding member of the Reach Fund, Connecticut’s abortion fund. They discuss what abortion advocacy and grassroots organizing looks like in Connecticut with The Reach Fund, Connecticut’s Abortion fund. Listen in while we break down what abortion advocates are doing to ensure access, and how folks who are interested in becoming advocates themselves can show their support.

In episode three of the Roe v. Wade series, the impact of this landmark legal decision on underserved communities and how it will further marginalize and disadvantage women of color and low-income individuals is explored. UConn School of Nursing student Zara Mason, UConn School of Dental Medicine student Eddyson Altidor, and UConn School of Medicine students Abishek Gupta and Lauren Barber interview Dr. Lucinda Canty, associate professor at the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Canty emphasizes the importance of advocating for equitable access to healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, for all individuals. She offers practical tips and strategies for listeners to support underserved communities, such as engaging with local policymakers, grassroots organizations, and community leaders. Join Urban Service Talks to listen, become informed and learn more about opportunities for health professions students/professionals.

The overturning of Roe v Wade affects a wide variety of people in America, including transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.

In this hyper-polarized political landscape, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals are increasingly subjected to unfair scrutiny.  In episode two of the Roe v. Wade series, UConn School of Pharmacy student Athena Guitierrez, and UConn School of Medicine students Conor McCarthy and Samhita Gurrala interview  Dr. Christine Rodriguez, senior lecturer from the Yale School of Nursing. Dr. Rodriquez helps shed light on the true extent of the issues this community faces and shares ways that we can support these individuals as healthcare providers. Join Urban Service Talks to listen, become informed and learn more about opportunities for health professions students/professionals.

What impact does the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the Dobbs decision have on your health care practice? On the populations you serve? The Urban Service Talks team has created a special series of four podcasts to help answer these questions. We begin the Overturn of Roe v. Wade with an overview of abortion, and what access to this essential healthcare currently looks like in Connecticut. We explore how access to abortion is evolving amidst changing legislation. In this episode, UConn School of Dental Medicine student Aysha Hoang, UConn School of Nursing student Quyen Le and UConn School of Medicine student Claire Surkis discuss these issues with Amina Carter, PA-C and Lead Clinician at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England.Join Urban Service Talks to listen, become informed and learn more about opportunities for health professions students/professionals.

Following the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization for Covid-19 vaccinations in early 2021, vaccine hesitancy became one of the largest barriers to successful mass vaccination campaigns. This issue was especially prevalent in urban underserved communities, such as Hartford, CT. In response to this hesitancy, and fueled by a desire to protect and serve their community, members of Hartford’s COVID-19 task force, along with many dedicated volunteers, quite literally took to the streets, knocking on doors to administer Covid-19 vaccines, answer community members’ questions, and to simply have open and honest conversations. In this episode, UConn School of Medicine students Sara Schulwolf (M3) and Julia Levin (incoming M1 and 2021-2022 CT AHEC AmeriCorps Member) interviewing Liany Arroyo, MPH (Director of Hartford Health and Human Services), Alex Greenbaum, LPN (Member of Hartford’s COVID-19 task force), and Connor Merchant, MPA (Lead Community Health Worker for Hartford’s Hispanic Health Council) about all that went into the door to door vaccination campaign – the logistics, the causes of hesitancy, and the goals and definition of a “success.” Liany, Alex, and Conor share stories of the struggles and the triumphs, as well as provide invaluable advice for current and future health professionals about community engagement and health equity. 

The Urban Ecology and Wellness Center is launching in the North End of Hartford with the goal of combining both wellness and urban ecology services in order to reconnect people with the healing power of nature. Environment has been recognized as a huge social determinant of health, as people are greatly influenced by the neighborhood in which they live. Improving the health of the neighborhood may in turn improve the health of residents. In this episode we have UConn School of Nursing student Nicey Brooks and UConn School of Dental Medicine student Tyler Hailey interviewing Herb Virgo (Founder and Executive Director of the Keney Park Sustainability Project) and Dr. Bruce E. Gould, MD (Founding Director of CT AHEC, former Associate Dean for Primary Care at the UConn School of Medicine and primary care internist dedicating nearly 3 decades to serving the North End of Hartford as medical director of the Burgdorf Health Center).

The UST/AHEC Scholars Program prides itself on constantly providing students with opportunities to cultivate leadership skills while learning and training in interprofessional groups. The Geriatrics Interest Group exemplified this mission and produced a truly noteworthy presentation at UST’s 2021 Interprofessional Summit. In this episode we have UConn School of Nursing student Nicey Brooks and UConn School of Dental Medicine student Tyler Hailey interviewing Dr. Roshni Patel, MD (Alum of UConn School of Medicine and UST/AHEC Scholars Program Cohort 9), Carlos Cardenas Peralta (UConn School of Dental Medicine Student and UST/AHEC Scholars Program Cohort 13) and Kelli Nelson (Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant student and Alum of UST/AHEC Scholars Program Cohort 13).

A patient may present in the office with recurrent/exacerbated issues, may be “non-compliant”, or may even be convinced that they are fine - but by visiting them at home, you get a fuller picture of the impact of the social determinants of health on their life. Social determinants of health include economic stability, physical environment, education, food, community/social context, and the healthcare system. In many urban and underserved communities, there are resources available to combat some of the barriers experienced by residents, but this information is not always easily accessible. The Home and Community Care Project aims to connect Asylum Hill Family Medical Center patients in Hartford, CT with community resources by starting the HCC Master Resource Database. In this episode we have UConn School of Dental Medicine student Basant Sallam interviewing Daniel Morocho, RN (UConn School of Nursing graduate ‘20 and a Registered Nurse at UConn Health Center) and Sarah Warzecha, LBSW (UConn School of Social Work graduate ‘21).

If you are interested in accessing the resource described within this episode, please reach out to us via email, [email protected].