RMIG Service Trip to Williamsport & Wellsboro 2024
On June 15, 2024, Tioga County celebrated the annual Laurel Festival. The community came out in droves to enjoy live music, watch the meticulously planned two-hour parade, and crown their new Laurel Queen. Amidst the sea of self-made artists and local chef-extraordinaries, just past the alpaca pen, is where six Pitt Med students set up their health screening tent.
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Throughout the day, locals and visitors filtered through the tent sharing their huge smiles and good humor. Some chatted about their recent travels and the beautiful weather. Others sought advice on securing appointments at local healthcare centers. More still stopped to ask about the items laid out on the table in front of the tent. Students happily handed over snacks, coloring pages, water, and even sunscreen, eager to spark conversation. Eventually, they’d ask, “Would you be interested in a health screening?”
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Students took blood pressures, checked blood sugars, and assessed eyesight throughout the day. They helped those with atypical values identify where they could receive care and provided basic nutritional guidance using reference materials provided by the Department of Family Medicine. Their work only paused when the local news crew asked to interview everyone to raise awareness of the opportunity.
After packing up, Dr. Boll (UPMC Williamsport) led a scenic hike to the PA Grand Canyon. He shared stories of the ups and downs of practicing in underserved areas, spread his excitement about the new Rural Medicine Residency, and suggested hiking trails for future visits.
Dinner was served at The Steakhouse Restaurant in downtown Wellsboro. Susan Gage, from the Northcentral Pennsylvania AHEC office, joined the group to discuss service and policy initiatives in the region. Students were able to ask questions about local politics and the role that plays in healthcare delivery.
The weekend rounded out the following morning with a tour of the Family Medicine Residency Office facilitated by Dr. Verzella. He explained how the new office was specifically designed with teaching in mind – complete with several large procedural suites, exam rooms equipped with observation cameras, and a spacious resident room. Afterward, students interacted with numerous training mannequins as Dr. Verzella explained what each was used for during the Family Medicine training path.
A huge thank you is owed to the many residents, physicians, and administrators who made this trip happen. A special thanks goes out to Dr. John Boll, Susan Gage, Renee Craig, and Alyssa Bedison for organizing space, meals, lodging, and training. Finally, we’d like to thank the Department of Family Medicine for assisting with funds for the weekend.