A “Lifestyle Medicine” and Nutritional Education Partnership with the Foundation for Innovations in Medical Education, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County. Report on the 2023 engagement:
Over the years, FIME has generously funded numerous NCSS programs. The grants have allowed NCSS to partner with the Zucker School of Medicine and other Hofstra and Northwell departments, as well as with professional providers particularly in poor, minority communities. In short, especially during the pandemic, this partnership has saved lives. Beyond the funding, we could not have been as effective without Dr. Howard and Betty Kerpen’s creative suggestions and constructive criticisms. We are grateful for their support and guidance.
This year’s round of funding (2023) was approved to support a “pandemic pivot” away from Covid information and vaccine delivery and back to broader health needs. This report focuses on the facet that has connected Zucker School of Medicine to the nutritional and other needs of underserved communities. It is a connection, according to ZSOM leaders, the students were hungry for and that has helped the school incorporate “lifestyle medicine” into its curriculum.
A key to the success of the summer program, according to students, faculty and community members, was the partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension and its recognized competence in nutrition education and grass roots connections.
At the suggestion of ZSOM faculty, we recruited undergraduates who had received early admission to the medical school. The students’ enthusiasm and sophistication, as well as commitment to devoting their lives to medicine, was infectious and fortuitous. More than one of the four selected for the program -- Sophie Weisman, Amber Sun, Daniel Alshansky and Thomas Eldho -- reported that their work in community gardens gave them a better understanding – quite literally – of the “roots” of nutrition issues.
In the Dining With Diabetes segment, for instance, the interns received a first-hand look at the foundation for building a successful chronic disease self-management program.
What they also say they learned in hard-pressed communities that they had known little about – communities suffering far greater rates of morbidity and mortality than their wealthier and whiter neighbors -- will make them “better doctors and better people.”
We have made available the students’ impressive resumes and the “letters of intent” that they were asked to submit with their application to the program.
What follows are examples of what the summer interns did under the tutelage of Cornell’s educators and gardeners, as well as community stakeholders:
In the first two weeks, the students were introduced to the program and people with whom they would be work the remainder of the summer, some of which already were in full swing -- mobile markets, Dining with Diabetes, East Meadow Farm activities, and the Roosevelt Community Garden later this morning. They also engaged in “getting to know you” team building exercises designed to foster cooperation and cohesion – ties that, hopefully, will last their entire academic medical career.
In the third week, the level of focus and intensity grew much sharper, as the supervisors at Cornell and ZSOM endeavored to provide the interns with a meaningful and enriching experience for their medical journey -- and continued throughout the summer. As one supervisor put it, “The interns have been absolutely wonderful, jumping right into every opportunity we have given them!”
During week 3, the students continued learning from Cornell’s Master Gardeners and began exploring some of CCE’s programming for kids. For example, the interns participated in the Gardening With Children program. They were also able to help lead one of our Kids Cook classes at the Hispanic Counseling Center in Hempstead. They visited and toured the Growing Love Community Garden in Port Washington where the interns had the opportunity to learn about another community garden with extensive programming for children. To wrap up the week, some of the interns participated in a nutrition event held at Harmony (FQHC clinic) Healthcare's Westbury location where they shared information and did a recipe demo.
In week 4, the interns were back in the garden with the Master Gardeners. They also helped with a mobile market, assisting seniors select fresh produce. One of our Nutrition Educators (also a chef) conducted a lesson with the interns on kitchen safety, knife skills, and how to teach/demonstrate recipes (the interns made a delicious bruschetta). Some of the interns assisted in the 4H entrepreneurial program at East Meadow Farm and to continue the Dining With Diabetes program that, as mentioned, gave them a first-hand look at the foundation for chronic disease self-management.
During week 5, the interns spent time with the 4H team learning about best practices for working with and engaging kids in hands-on learning activities. They also had the opportunity to participate in and help lead several of our 4H programs including marine science and Kids Cook classes. The interns also helped several of our Registered Dietitians lead community nutrition classes including Healthy Eating 101 and Dining with Diabetes. They rounded out the week participating in two community health fairs, one with our FQHC partner in Roosevelt and one with the Family & Children's Association in Hempstead – part of exposing our students to major community health-oriented organizations with which they may engage as doctors.
In week 6, for a more rural experience, the interns spent time at CCE’s 4H Camp and Farm in Riverhead. Not only did they get the opportunity to learn from the farm staff, but they were also able to connect the dots and see where much of the produce sold at our mobile markets is coming from. They also led a fun and exciting farm to table cooking program. The campers (ranging in ages from 8-14) harvested onions and then brought them to the kitchen to make four different onion recipes. The interns jumped right in - each leading a group of kids in making a different recipe; onion pancakes, onion fritters, onion dip, and onion cake (yes, onion cake!).
The students, as well as the supervisors, were so excited by the experience that it was extended beyond the summer. September’s activities included the “healthy lifestyle” teen programs at Roosevelt Community Garden on two separate dates.