Adolescents Caring for COMmunity by Promoting Literacy on Insurance, Stroke, Health Education, Emergencies, and Dementia (ACComPLISHED)

Adolescents Caring for COMmunity by Promoting Literacy on Insurance, Stroke, Health Education, Emergencies, and Dementia (ACComPLISHED)

ACComPLISHED Group Photo

Program Overview

Adolescents Caring for COMmunity by Promoting Literacy on Insurance, Stroke, Health Education, Emergencies, and Dementia (ACComPLISHED) is a free, 3-month community health training program designed to encourage students to learn health topics and gain skills to improve community health literacy.

The program is an excellent option for students contemplating a career in health or academia who want to make an impact in their community. Students participate in a hybrid interdisciplinary community health program delivered throughout the summer or academic year with weekly zooms and monthly in-person sessions. Students will explore clinical correlates, engage in simulated patient encounters, and develop knowledge and skills in workshops. The students will hear from several physicians, allied health professionals, and graduate students from NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Each student is matched with personal mentors at Columbia with support from Student Interest Group for Neurology & Neuroscience (SIGNN), Steven Z Miller Pediatric Society, and Global Health Organization International Young Researchers’ Conference (GHO: IYRC) at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (VP&S).

Students write weekly reflections, complete validated questionnaires during in-class didactics, and implement a mentored capstone community intervention. Each student chooses 5 family or community members to teach program content to weekly as a health education liaison. There are hundreds of office hours over the course of the program to support students. Students are invited to present their projects at a symposium at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at the end of the summer.

ACComPLISHED students practicing

Through ACComPLISHED, students will:

  • Learn how to recognize disease, as well as the risk factors and methods for prevention.
  • Discuss various areas of health such as diabetes, hypertension, nutrition, mental health, sleep, and their role in stroke and dementia.
  • Build skills in promoting a healthy lifestyle, counseling patients, and tackling health emergencies.
  • Develop confidence and comfort in your ability to be a health leader in your community.
  • Foster your interest and understanding of medical and allied health professions.
  • Make new friends and lasting student-mentor relationships.

For eligibility requirements, please see Eligibility, Application, and Selection page.