Dannai Harriel PgHC Program Manager

Welcome to the Pittsburgh Health Corps! Thank you for visiting our website!

The Pittsburgh Health Corps website will help you learn about how to become a member or how to become a Host/Partner site.

My name is Dannai Harriel. In 1998, I served as a Pittsburgh Health Corps member. Now I am the Pittsburgh Health Corps Program Manager, and I get to mentor members. I couldn’t have imagined a job this rewarding. I have the pleasure of working beside the most committed and dedicated individuals in the world.

At the Pittsburgh Health Corps, our members have a passion for service, for providing health education, and improving access to healthcare to Allegheny County’s most vulnerable residents. Our Hosts/Partners provide the opportunity for members to serve at their sites; these sites include health centers, health and human services agencies, and faith based organizations.

What do you have planned for the next 46 weeks? What is better than making an impact in the community?

Whether you are a prospective host site interested in applying for a Pittsburgh Health Corps member or an individual applying to become a member, don’t hesitate. Complete an application today. I look forward to hearing from you, soon!

Please visit www.americorps.gov to complete an application.

Risa shows us that “service comes with a smile” as members clean-up a vacant and abandoned lot in downtown Pittsburgh. This their first project for the year after only 3 days of pre-service orientation.

What members plan to after their service year ends on July 26, 2011:

Alex Cirillo plans to attend the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor for her Master's Degree in Public Health.

Sarah May, who has served with the PgHC for 2 terms of service, plans to attend the Mendel School at Case Western Reserve University to earn her Master's in Applied Science which will allow her to practice social work. Case Western Reserve University will match her 2 AmeriCorps education awards!

Angela Freitas has been accepted to the Master's in Health Education program at Columbia University in New York.

Erin Firestone accepted a position as the Center Director of Apple Tree Learning Center in Virginia.

Doug Lipari is attending the Cardozo School of Law.

Ashley Mancini accepted a position as a full-time service coordinator for the UPMC Health System.

Chantal Kamya is attending Wake Forest University to obtain a Masters in Management.

Abdul Ahmed has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will be located in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Sarah Voorhees is attending Boston University to receive her Masters in Public Health. She will concentrate on International Health.

Rasheda Vereen is attending medical school at Commonwealth Medical College of Pennsylvania.

Tara Kane is attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania to receive a Masters in Community Counseling. She also accepted part-time positions with Family Behavioral Resources and Armstrong-Indiana MH/MR working as Therapeutic Support Specialist and Mobile Crisis Intervention worker.

Kelsey Evans is attending Shadyside School of Nursing.

Elizabeth Tassaro-Burbano and her husband welcomed a baby girl in June and will be assuming the role of wonderful parents.

 

 

PgHC members participated in their first group service project at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

PgHC Members Doug, Erin, Tara, Kelly and Kelsey volunteered at event the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank held at a Pen's game.

First Service Project for the 2010-11 PgHC members-GPCFB

For their first service project of the 2010-11 program year, 18 PgHC members repacked hundreds of pounds of pasta at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank; this pasta was then distributed to families in need.  In all, the Food Bank distributes over 22 million pounds of food per year through a network of nearly 400 member agencies in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The Food Bank serves a vital role in the community, reaching over 120,000 people every month.

Later, in December 2010, PgHC Members - Doug, Erin, Tara, Kelly and Kelsey - volunteered with an event the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank held at Pittsburgh Penguins Game.  The members helped sell raffle tickets to raise money for purchasing food in an effort to help expand various Food Bank programs.

Healthy Start staff and AmeriCorps members role-play before heading out into the communities.

Healthy Start staff and AmeriCorps members canvassing neighborhoods to spread the word about infant safe sleep.

The PgHC, Healthy Start INC (HSI) and the  Allegheny County Health Department collaborated to address the issue of infant  sleep related deaths.  In early October  2010, Healthy Start Medical Director and Pediatrician, Jerome Gloster, M.D. and  Chantal Kamya, the PgHC member serving with the Infant Safe Sleep Church Outreach  Committee, presented an infant safe sleep training to PgHC members and HSI  staff.  The training included a power  point presentation followed by role plays. Evaluations of the seminar show that  knowledge was increased for both the AmeriCorps staff and Healthy Start  outreach workers. Two weeks later, PgHC members and HSI outreach workers came  together again to canvas neighbors and engage community residents about the  impact that infant sleep related deaths were having on the community.  As a result of their combined efforts, 241  adults (70 men, 171 women) in nearly 20 communities were educated on the facts  and factors related to SIDS and infant sleep related deaths. A total of 750  outreach materials (500 Baby Safe Sleep Zone  Cards, 250 Church Fans, and 168 Healthy Start Fact Cards) were distributed to community members and left behind at local  businesses.  were left behind. Moreover,  18 future public health professionals have become more knowledgeable of SIDS,  the factors leading to deaths and, moreover, how to deliver a culturally  competent and sensitive message.