91�ֿ�

91�ֿ�’s College of Public Health (CPH) began training community health workers in 2019 and when CPH partner Summa Health and their department of community benefit system director Marlo Schmidt found out about this program, a true collaborative partnership blossomed. 

In 2018, Summa Health committed to be a named integrated partner in the College & Career Academies of Akron at Buchtel CLC. The Summa Health Academy of Leadership and Innovation was born. Summa Health enhanced their commitment to offer a pilot community health worker (CHW) internship experience under the Summa Health Equity Center. 

CHW’s are public health workers who are trusted members of the community and are responsible for educating community members on a variety of health issues and available community programs. They work as a liaison between health organizations and the community to provide relevant information to address the social determinants of health and reduce health disparities. 

Summa’s department of community benefit partnered with 91�ֿ�’s (KSU) School of Public Health to not only meet an industry credential need at Buchtel, but to provide talent to an ever-growing profession. It represents an opportunity for Akron Public School students to enter the CHW program, complete their practical experience at Summa Health, and enter a pathway to high-wage, high-demand jobs upon high school graduation that will also enable them to make a meaningful impact on their communities. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for a highly trained public health workforce, which was already evident before the onset of the pandemic. Community health workers can deliver the outreach, prevention, advocacy and support service community members need to achieve better health outcomes,” said Sonia Alemagno, Ph.D., dean, 91�ֿ� College of Public Health. 

Buchtel students completed the community health worker I CCP course in spring 2021 through KSU where all obtained a B or better. In the summer, each student was enrolled in the community health worker II practicum experience which was provided at Summa. 

De’Anna Edwards, MA Ed., College and Career Academy coach at Bucthel CLC stated, “We are so grateful for Summa Health for offering our students a paid internship experience this summer, where they worked alongside community health workers on community projects, interned with providers related to their career path interest and receive college credit.”

Intern Imara T. Dunbar shared the following about her experience: “It has taught me, in more ways than one,  how to talk to patients and how to help patients that are in different situations that are in a need of help physically, mentally or financially.” Intern Derrek Martin shared, “The team here is very passionate about helping the community and making sure they have the resources that they need in order to thrive and better themselves.”

To learn more about the college’s CHW partnerships, please contact Tracy Schlemmer at 330-672-6512 or tschlemm@kent.edu.

91�ֿ�’s College of Public Health (CPH) began training community health workers in 2019 and when CPH partner Summa Health and their department of community benefit system director Marlo Schmidt found out about this program, a true collaborative partnership blossomed. 

In 2018, Summa Health committed to be a named integrated partner in the College & Career Academies of Akron at Buchtel CLC. The Summa Health Academy of Leadership and Innovation was born. Summa Health enhanced their commitment to offer a pilot community health worker (CHW) internship experience under the Summa Health Equity Center. 

CHW’s are public health workers who are trusted members of the community and are responsible for educating community members on a variety of health issues and available community programs. They work as a liaison between health organizations and the community to provide relevant information to address the social determinants of health and reduce health disparities. 

Summa’s department of community benefit partnered with 91�ֿ�’s (KSU) School of Public Health to not only meet an industry credential need at Buchtel, but to provide talent to an ever-growing profession. It represents an opportunity for Akron Public School students to enter the CHW program, complete their practical experience at Summa Health, and enter a pathway to high-wage, high-demand jobs upon high school graduation that will also enable them to make a meaningful impact on their communities. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for a highly trained public health workforce, which was already evident before the onset of the pandemic. Community health workers can deliver the outreach, prevention, advocacy and support service community members need to achieve better health outcomes,” said Sonia Alemagno, Ph.D., dean, 91�ֿ� College of Public Health. 

Buchtel students completed the community health worker I CCP course in spring 2021 through KSU where all obtained a B or better. In the summer, each student was enrolled in the community health worker II practicum experience which was provided at Summa. 

De’Anna Edwards, MA Ed., College and Career Academy coach at Bucthel CLC stated, “We are so grateful for Summa Health for offering our students a paid internship experience this summer, where they worked alongside community health workers on community projects, interned with providers related to their career path interest and receive college credit.”

Intern Imara T. Dunbar shared the following about her experience: “It has taught me, in more ways than one,  how to talk to patients and how to help patients that are in different situations that are in a need of help physically, mentally or financially.” Intern Derrek Martin shared, “The team here is very passionate about helping the community and making sure they have the resources that they need in order to thrive and better themselves.”

To learn more about the college’s CHW partnerships, please contact Tracy Schlemmer at 330-672-6512 or tschlemm@kent.edu.

91�ֿ�’s College of Public Health (CPH) began training community health workers in 2019 and when CPH partner Summa Health and their department of community benefit system director Marlo Schmidt found out about this program, a true collaborative partnership blossomed. 

In 2018, Summa Health committed to be a named integrated partner in the College & Career Academies of Akron at Buchtel CLC. The Summa Health Academy of Leadership and Innovation was born. Summa Health enhanced their commitment to offer a pilot community health worker (CHW) internship experience under the Summa Health Equity Center. 

CHW’s are public health workers who are trusted members of the community and are responsible for educating community members on a variety of health issues and available community programs. They work as a liaison between health organizations and the community to provide relevant information to address the social determinants of health and reduce health disparities. 

Summa’s department of community benefit partnered with 91�ֿ�’s (KSU) School of Public Health to not only meet an industry credential need at Buchtel, but to provide talent to an ever-growing profession. It represents an opportunity for Akron Public School students to enter the CHW program, complete their practical experience at Summa Health, and enter a pathway to high-wage, high-demand jobs upon high school graduation that will also enable them to make a meaningful impact on their communities. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for a highly trained public health workforce, which was already evident before the onset of the pandemic. Community health workers can deliver the outreach, prevention, advocacy and support service community members need to achieve better health outcomes,” said Sonia Alemagno, Ph.D., dean, 91�ֿ� College of Public Health. 

Buchtel students completed the community health worker I CCP course in spring 2021 through KSU where all obtained a B or better. In the summer, each student was enrolled in the community health worker II practicum experience which was provided at Summa. 

De’Anna Edwards, MA Ed., College and Career Academy coach at Bucthel CLC stated, “We are so grateful for Summa Health for offering our students a paid internship experience this summer, where they worked alongside community health workers on community projects, interned with providers related to their career path interest and receive college credit.”

Intern Imara T. Dunbar shared the following about her experience: “It has taught me, in more ways than one,  how to talk to patients and how to help patients that are in different situations that are in a need of help physically, mentally or financially.” Intern Derrek Martin shared, “The team here is very passionate about helping the community and making sure they have the resources that they need in order to thrive and better themselves.”

To learn more about the college’s CHW partnerships, please contact Tracy Schlemmer at 330-672-6512 or tschlemm@kent.edu.

91�ֿ�’s College of Public Health (CPH) began training community health workers in 2019 and when CPH partner Summa Health and their department of community benefit system director Marlo Schmidt found out about this program, a true collaborative partnership blossomed. 

In 2018, Summa Health committed to be a named integrated partner in the College & Career Academies of Akron at Buchtel CLC. The Summa Health Academy of Leadership and Innovation was born. Summa Health enhanced their commitment to offer a pilot community health worker (CHW) internship experience under the Summa Health Equity Center. 

CHW’s are public health workers who are trusted members of the community and are responsible for educating community members on a variety of health issues and available community programs. They work as a liaison between health organizations and the community to provide relevant information to address the social determinants of health and reduce health disparities. 

Summa’s department of community benefit partnered with 91�ֿ�’s (KSU) School of Public Health to not only meet an industry credential need at Buchtel, but to provide talent to an ever-growing profession. It represents an opportunity for Akron Public School students to enter the CHW program, complete their practical experience at Summa Health, and enter a pathway to high-wage, high-demand jobs upon high school graduation that will also enable them to make a meaningful impact on their communities. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for a highly trained public health workforce, which was already evident before the onset of the pandemic. Community health workers can deliver the outreach, prevention, advocacy and support service community members need to achieve better health outcomes,” said Sonia Alemagno, Ph.D., dean, 91�ֿ� College of Public Health. 

Buchtel students completed the community health worker I CCP course in spring 2021 through KSU where all obtained a B or better. In the summer, each student was enrolled in the community health worker II practicum experience which was provided at Summa. 

De’Anna Edwards, MA Ed., College and Career Academy coach at Bucthel CLC stated, “We are so grateful for Summa Health for offering our students a paid internship experience this summer, where they worked alongside community health workers on community projects, interned with providers related to their career path interest and receive college credit.”

Intern Imara T. Dunbar shared the following about her experience: “It has taught me, in more ways than one,  how to talk to patients and how to help patients that are in different situations that are in a need of help physically, mentally or financially.” Intern Derrek Martin shared, “The team here is very passionate about helping the community and making sure they have the resources that they need in order to thrive and better themselves.”

To learn more about the college’s CHW partnerships, please contact Tracy Schlemmer at 330-672-6512 or tschlemm@kent.edu.

91�ֿ�’s College of Public Health (CPH) began training community health workers in 2019 and when CPH partner Summa Health and their department of community benefit system director Marlo Schmidt found out about this program, a true collaborative partnership blossomed. 

In 2018, Summa Health committed to be a named integrated partner in the College & Career Academies of Akron at Buchtel CLC. The Summa Health Academy of Leadership and Innovation was born. Summa Health enhanced their commitment to offer a pilot community health worker (CHW) internship experience under the Summa Health Equity Center. 

CHW’s are public health workers who are trusted members of the community and are responsible for educating community members on a variety of health issues and available community programs. They work as a liaison between health organizations and the community to provide relevant information to address the social determinants of health and reduce health disparities. 

Summa’s department of community benefit partnered with 91�ֿ�’s (KSU) School of Public Health to not only meet an industry credential need at Buchtel, but to provide talent to an ever-growing profession. It represents an opportunity for Akron Public School students to enter the CHW program, complete their practical experience at Summa Health, and enter a pathway to high-wage, high-demand jobs upon high school graduation that will also enable them to make a meaningful impact on their communities. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for a highly trained public health workforce, which was already evident before the onset of the pandemic. Community health workers can deliver the outreach, prevention, advocacy and support service community members need to achieve better health outcomes,” said Sonia Alemagno, Ph.D., dean, 91�ֿ� College of Public Health. 

Buchtel students completed the community health worker I CCP course in spring 2021 through KSU where all obtained a B or better. In the summer, each student was enrolled in the community health worker II practicum experience which was provided at Summa. 

De’Anna Edwards, MA Ed., College and Career Academy coach at Bucthel CLC stated, “We are so grateful for Summa Health for offering our students a paid internship experience this summer, where they worked alongside community health workers on community projects, interned with providers related to their career path interest and receive college credit.”

Intern Imara T. Dunbar shared the following about her experience: “It has taught me, in more ways than one,  how to talk to patients and how to help patients that are in different situations that are in a need of help physically, mentally or financially.” Intern Derrek Martin shared, “The team here is very passionate about helping the community and making sure they have the resources that they need in order to thrive and better themselves.”

To learn more about the college’s CHW partnerships, please contact Tracy Schlemmer at 330-672-6512 or tschlemm@kent.edu.