Summer is in full swing, and so is the third cohort of Whittier College’s Unihealth Peer Health Educator Fellows.
Under the leadership of Dr. Rebecca Eberle-Romberger, eight students are learning the ins and outs of being a healthcare professional and what it means to serve the Whittier College community and promote equitable access to care.
“This is a grant-funded opportunity based on giving students with marginalized and diverse identities an opportunity to have paid work on campus in their field of study,” Eberle-Romberger said.
Like the previous iterations, the fellows spend multiple weeks in the summer attending various lectures and learning from mentors. During the last month of the fellowship, they shadow various community organizations related to health and wellness, such as SPIRITT Family Services, Casa Youth Shelter, Friendly Hills Pediatrics Practice, and Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital.
The school also partnered with Heluna Health, which provides access to an educational platform providing community health worker certification.
“These are professionals working in the field — alums who have gifted their time to share with students how they moved from this undergraduate seat through their med school or grad school and then into the profession,” Eberle-Romberger said. “They should leave this summer fellowship with a career portfolio with mentoring moments, shadowing hours, and lecture notes on the eight dimensions of wellness.
After completion, the fellows will serve as peer health educators for 10 hours a week during the academic year.
“They’re communicating with their peers on things that maybe aren't as accessible or could be more fearful for them to pursue, especially within marginalized communities,” Career Services Director Sandra Ana said. “That’s so important.”
For Giovanni Sebastian Valeriano Rivas, a second-year international student from Peru, the fellowship allows him to explore the facets of his biological sciences major. He’s excited to put what he’s learned into practice.
“I'm looking forward to being a peer health educator on campus this year so that I can support the idea of eliminating the stigma involved in improving mental health and encourage students to appreciate their strengths to reach their personal resolutions that lead them to achieve a fulfilling life,” he said.
Peer health educators are located in Johnson Hall on the first floor, next to the kitchen. Students can either drop by or schedule an appointment on Monday through Friday when school begins.
Learn more about this year’s cohort here and email the Career Center at careercenter@whittier.edu for more information on the College’s fellowships and internships.
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