The Philadelphia Department of Prisons (PDP) in collaboration with YesCare, the nation's main provider of correctional healthcare, has launched an initiative that integrates students from local universities and colleges into clinical roles within PDP facilities, the partnership is now in its eighth year, has hit a new peak with this semester's enrollment. Chief of Medical Operations at the PDP, Bruce Herdman, explained the dual benefit of this program, stating, "Working with students give us an opportunity to contribute to the expansion of medical care resources in Philadelphia" and emphasized the enrichment it brings to both PDP clinical staff and the potential for recruiting future correctional medicine clinicians, praising the alliance with YesCare according to a press release.
The University of Pennsylvania has pitched in with a nurse practitioner student and two UPenn residents, one with a specialization in infectious diseases and the other in internal medicine — tackling conditions prevalent in prison populations like HIV, Hepatitis C, and Tuberculosis, while Thomas Jefferson University residents are conducting annual physicals. A healthcare hopeful from Widener University is also joining the ranks, assigned to the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility supported by other trainees in the infirmary setting, despite the fact that juggling clinical responsibilities and educational rigor is no easy feat the students seem up for the challenge.
The PDP's Behavioral Health Department is not left out, playing host to three psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners hailing from Ohio University, LaSalle University, and Walden University. Adding a new dimension to the academic partnership, Thomas Jefferson has recently inaugurated a Physician’s Assistant program, and the department has welcomed its first student for a behavioral health clinical rotation, confirming the diverse learning opportunities sprouting from this program.
Highlighting the enthusiasm surrounding these opportunities, Ronnie Cherian, a participating student, reflected on his choice - "I chose the prison for my clinical rotation because it offers a unique opportunity to work with a diverse population facing significant health challenges," acknowledging the satisfaction drawn from serving the incarcerated community who are often grappling. Furthermore, showcasing PDP's vested interest in continual learning, two YesCare staff members have stepped forward to further their education through this initiative, exemplifying a shared growth mindset as announced by the PDP.
