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Celebrating Our Impact

Community Impact

At Jefferson, we believe in improving lives well beyond the classroom and the exam room. From helping local underserved populations to aiding refugees here and thousands of miles away, Jefferson staff, students, faculty and alumni strive to make a meaningful, positive impact on communities in need.

2/6 Preparing Underserved Students for a Bright Future

We’re always thinking toward the future, especially when it comes to the next generation. Jefferson programs provide health care, education, counseling, mentorship and more to give underserved youth new opportunities and prepare them to be the leaders of tomorrow.

A Brighter Future Helping Elementary and Middle School Students Be Their Best

Jefferson has a longstanding relationship with the Southwark School, offering counseling, health care and education programs to children in need. Our master’s-level couple and family therapy students provide therapy sessions to counselor-identified Southwark students and families. They also guide a successful peer counseling and anti-bullying program.

A large group of Southwark School students stands in a bright orange hallway with two adults behind them. Over 40% of Southwark’s students speak English as a second language, and many are children from new U.S. immigrants.
Andrew Lukov stands in a suit and tie in front of a sign that says “amazing things happen here” in the bright orange hallways of Southwark School.

"Having one counselor for 900 students is difficult, especially since members of our student body have been students in refugee camps, young kids who have lost parents—they’ve been through different kinds of trauma and require intensive therapy."

Andrew Lukov Southwark School Principal
A four-story stone building with several windows and a staircase leading up to the blue front door that reads “Southwark School” above.

A Place Where Students Want to Be

Six years after the partnership with Jefferson began, Southwark School enrollment increased by 73%. The school ranked 11th in attendance among 162 elementary and middle schools in the School District of Philadelphia.

A Well-Rounded Education

Nearly half of Southwark Elementary School students speak English as a second language, and many are children of new U.S. immigrants. While we provide numerous programs, University students also focus on activities that build positive self-image for males of color in 4th and 5th grade, when emotional management and social engagement habits form.

Beyond Counseling

Jefferson provides physicals for Southwark students to play on the school’s sports teams, as well as health and science education. Southwark students also get to experience Jefferson’s fun, interactive Saturday Academy, and eighth-graders have participated in Jefferson’s Leadership Academy.

Learn more

“We recognize that Jefferson has an essential role to play in the well-being of our communities — through service, education, access and reducing disparities in health outcomes. We are dedicated to fulfilling that role in the most effective and impactful way possible.”

Mentorship Matters

The benefits of mentorship extend well beyond the classroom, equipping students not only with academic skills, but the motivation and drive to make a difference in their communities. According to www.mentoring.org, at-risk young adults who had a mentor are more likely to aspire to graduate from college and participate in extracurricular activities.

25%

more likely to enroll in college

29%

more likely to hold a leadership position in a club, sports team, school council or another group

21%

more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities

A student wearing a long-sleeved black shirt draws on a large white piece of paper hung from an orange wall.

PUMP-up Mentoring Program

Thomas Jefferson University continues its outstanding community outreach program known as PUMP-up. The program pairs college students with at-risk K-8 students in East Falls, Roxborough, Germantown and surrounding neighborhoods to increase the academic achievements of the younger students and introduce our students to volunteerism in metropolitan communities.

Learn more

Mentorship made a huge difference in my growth and development as an adolescent female. I knew what mentorship had done for me, and I always wanted to be able to give back in that same capacity.

PUMP-ing Up Student Performance

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200+

local students served by 90+ volunteers

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160

students demonstrated increased academic engagement

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120

students showed proficiency in core subject areas

Rashidah Salam wears a brightly colored scarf over a patterned shirt while standing in front of her mural.

Support Beyond the Classroom Celebrating Diversity at Local Schools

Rashidah Salam, Jefferson faculty member in the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, and her husband Jared Bader planned and created an interfaith mural to cover a full side of the St. Thomas Aquinas Independence Mission School in South Philly. Titled “Dare to Understand,” the mural captures the spirit of the local community and is one of over 4,000 murals across the city.

More about the mural

3/6 Helping Patients Through Times of Crisis

When faced with challenging situations, the last thing patients want to worry about is having access to the health care they need. Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health strive to assist patients through crises by providing much-needed health resources and patient care.

Photo a person sitting on a corner of a busy street with a cardboard sign.

Did You Know? 13.5 million

people in the United States have experienced homelessness at least once in their life. How can these people receive the medical care they need?

A woman wearing blue scrubs and a stethoscope smiles at a young girl as she provides patient care.

Care Through Crisis Helping Homeless and Housing-Insecure Populations

JeffHOPE (Jefferson Health Opportunities, Prevention & Education) is a student-run organization within Sidney Kimmel Medical College that aims to improve access to health care for the homeless and housing-insecure populations of Philadelphia. JeffHOPE provides acute care, emotional support and health education through free clinics located in Philadelphia area homeless shelters.

A History of Hope

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1991

year that JeffHOPE was founded by a group of Jefferson medical students and faculty advisors

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5,000+

patient visits conducted per year by JeffHOPE personnel

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150+

medical students and faculty involved, making JeffHOPE the largest student-run free clinic nationally, by number of members, number of patients treated and by operating budget

A group of JeffHOPE workers in scrubs, face masks and face shields stand at an outdoor clinic looking at tablets.

During the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, JeffHOPE needed to shift tactics to continue to assist at-risk patients. First- and second-year medical students’ commitment to this population never wavered. They assisted patients remotely via telemedicine, communicating with iPads to provide education on relevant conditions and counseling on accessing insurance. Third- and fourth-year students continued to visit homeless shelters and clinics when a patient needed direct physical assistance. Learn more

It’s been amazing to see how our students have integrated telehealth with in-person care to maximize patient access and student involvement.

Care Through Crisis Filling a Healthcare Gap

Hahnemann University Hospital served the Philadelphia area for over 170 years. When its closure was announced in 2019, filling any gaps in patient care was a citywide concern and a healthcare crisis—oftentimes disproportionately impacting the underserved. Jefferson Health rallied its resources to become a critical safety net for many of these patients, especially emergency room visitors and expectant mothers.

An expectant mother lies down in an exam room smiling at a screen while receiving a sonogram from a care provider. Because of the Hahnemann closing, Jefferson experienced nearly a 50% increase in the number of babies being delivered. This translates to about 3,000 babies per year — an average of seven babies a day.
The exterior of a building in downtown Philadelphia that reads “Thomas Jefferson University Hospital” above the doorway and “Jefferson - Home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College” on the skyway spanning above the city street.

Bracing for Impact

Many Jefferson hospitals were impacted by the closure, but our Center City campus expected the biggest ER surge. The city accommodated our request for increased emergency vehicle access, and a new security post was created to direct traffic.

A Hahnemann University Hospital sign that says the hospital name, “EMERGENCY” with a right arrow, and “Main Entrance” with a right arrow. Inside the ER, reworking the triage and intake protocols allowed for an additional eight to 10 rooms for patient care. The staff also instituted a new flexible Vertical Attending Doctor position that floats to accomplish whatever is needed during a shift, from patient care to cleaning beds.
The exterior of a multi-story, brick building with the words “Abington Hospital - Jefferson Health” on a blue backdrop above the entranceway with green shrubbery in front of it.

Beyond Center City

The effects of the closing reverberated into the suburbs. Drexel University School of Medicine students, residents and fellows routinely participated in Hahnemann rotations. Upon learning that Drexel-Hahnemann residents and their supervising faculty would resign, Abington Hospital’s leaders had two weeks to develop a transition plan for nine medical services and one intensive care service involving 120 patients.

Coming Together to Fill the Gap

Dedicated Jefferson clinicians stepped up to take on work previously done by Drexel residents and faculty members. A bevy of healthcare professionals, from physician assistants to nurse practitioners to community physicians, came together to fill the gaps and be there for patients throughout the transition.

More stories about the closure

Care Through Crisis A Commitment to the Underserved

Jefferson’s commitment to providing medical services to underserved communities is evident in our resources and offerings, and also in our partnerships with other organizations who share similar missions and values to improve lives.

Full-Spectrum Care for the Homeless

Stephen Klein Wellness Center (SKWC) is a federally-qualified health center (FQHC) in North Philadelphia that provides full-spectrum care to individuals experiencing homelessness, the formerly homeless and the underserved in North Philadelphia.

More about SKWC

Closing the Healthcare Gap for the LGBTQIA+ Community

In January 2020, Jefferson Health opened the doors to Haddonfield Primary & Specialty Care, a multidisciplinary LGBTQIA+ affirming practice — the first of its kind in South Jersey.

More about Haddonfield

Culturally Competent Care for Latinx Immigrants

Puentes de Salud (“Bridges of Health”) is a nonprofit organization that promotes the health and wellness of Philadelphia’s growing Latinx immigrant population. Jefferson faculty and residents help provide culturally competent care to clinic patients.

More about Puentes de Salud

An aerial shot of the Philadelphia skyline with the river and a yellow-pinkish sky in the background and several tall buildings in the foreground.

Reducing Strokes and Increasing Access in North Philadelphia

The Frazier Family Coalition for Stroke Education and Prevention in partnership with Temple University reduces strokes in North Philadelphia and helps residents receive comprehensive, culturally competent, quality health care that’s connected with local health and wellness services.

More about Frazier

Jefferson Health Plans is committed to supporting the needs of the local communities and extending its reach beyond just health care. Through our partnerships with nonprofits like ACLAMO and Philadelphia Legal Assistance, we’re amplifying available services and coordinating support for our members that need it most.

More on Jefferson Health Plans

Denise Napier Jefferson Health Plans President & CEO
A group of people bundled up in winter clothing wait outside of a purple Jefferson Health Plans tent, where a table features swag such as totes, pens and other items.

Did You Know? 30+ years

amount of time Jefferson Health Plans, previously Health Partners Plans, has been serving the community.

Care Through Crisis Bringing Visibility and Resources to the Latino Community

Accíon Comunal Latino Americano de Montgomery County (ACLAMO) is derived from the Spanish verb "aclamar," which means "to proclaim or shout forth.” The organization’s full name translates as, “Latin American Community Action of Montgomery County.” ACLAMO’s goal is to bring visibility to the Latino community through a full range of critical bilingual and bicultural services that addresses gaps in access to vital resources.

Two children sit at a table covered in paint, paintbrushes and various other art supplies while doing arts and crafts.

Community Assistance

Jefferson Health Plans helps ACLAMO provide educational programs, social services and access to health and wellness programs. Medicaid members can contact ACLAMO to set up doctor and dental service, schedule preventative screenings, access care management, schedule transportation and connect to community resources including food, clothing and utility payment.

An ACLAMO volunteer wearing a mask sits at a table while looking over a clipboard with another volunteer in a mask who is standing while a visitor also wears and watches the volunteers.

Building Relationships for Stronger Support

A Jefferson Health Plans member shared that she was having problems with anxiety and depression that impacted her ability to interact with family and co-workers, and she couldn’t find behavioral health support from her primary care provider. We connected the member with our partner, ACLAMO, and local resources to help her out. The member shared that this help came at the perfect time. She was extremely grateful for the follow-up and support she was given.

Connecting Families with the Resources They Need

Conversations with a member revealed that his mental health struggles were amplified by the stress of recent unemployment, leaving his family unable to pay bills and provide necessities. ACLAMO staff connected the member and his family with:

  • Jefferson Health Plans for therapy and mental health outpatient appointments

  • Financial resources to reverse utility shut-off notices

  • Assistance with food, clothes and diapers

  • Orion Communities to help pay the remaining bills 

More about ACLAMO

Photo of the lady of justice status holding a scale.

Did You Know? 6,000+

Philadelphia individuals and families cannot afford an attorney each year. How can they get the quality legal assistance they need?

A group of PLA employees pose together wearing business casual clothing while smiling at the camera in front of a wall that reads “Philadelphia Legal Assistance.”

Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA)'s mission is to enforce and protect the rights of individuals and families by providing accessible, creative and high-quality legal assistance while working collaboratively for systemic change. Jefferson Health Plans works with PLA through its Medical Legal Community Partnership (MLCP) to support medical care and help address socio-legal needs, including housing stability and income support.

Learn more

4/6 Helping Refugees

Jefferson is dedicated to helping refugees with their struggles. From halfway around the world to right here in our local communities, our mission manifests itself far and near.

"Any person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside of his country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country."

Dedication to the Displaced Helping Refugees Abroad

A first-year cardiology fellow at Jefferson traveled from Philadelphia to the border of Poland and Ukraine to provide much-needed medical assistance to Ukrainian refugees from the Russian invasion.

Refugees bundled up in winter coats cross the border through a tall green fence surrounded by border employees in bright vests and camouflage along with a soldier in camouflage. Medyka, a small Polish village near the border, received 8,000-10,000 refugees per day, with 12,000 being reported as a single-day record.
Dr. Alex Hajduczok wears a navy suit with a collared shirt in a blue checkered pattern, a blue tie, and a smile as he poses for a professional headshot.

"I just felt that I couldn’t watch on the sidelines anymore. I needed to go over there and I needed to help."

Dr. Alex Hajduczok Jefferson cardiology fellow
Dr. Alex Hajduczok and his team stand inside a large military tent while wearing reflective jackets and other medical gear while standing together and smiling at the camera.

Answering the Call

Working in a military tent with a team of doctors, nurses and volunteers from Europe and the U.S., Dr. Alex Hajduczok treated hundreds of people for dehydration and hypothermia. As the Russian assault mounted, more people required treatment for gunshot wounds or mortar attack cuts. Dr. Hajduczok’s Ukrainian grandparents were refugees liberated from German camps in World War II.

Dr. Alex Hajduczok stands with a headband the colors of the Ukrainian flag, a reflective vest and scrubs while a patient in a wheelchair grasps his hand.

"That’s another reason this all really hit home for me, because that could easily have been me. It’s really just luck of the draw that I was born in the United States rather than being born in Ukraine."

Dr. Alex Hajduczok Jefferson cardiology fellow

An Impact of a Lifetime

Being the only physician that also spoke Ukrainian proved invaluable. When Dr. Hajduczok wasn’t working, he was translating for others. He believes his experiences on the border will resonate with him for a lifetime, both personally and professionally.

Check out our podcast

Photo of a refugee family standing together on a street.

Did You Know? 1,500

refugees resettled in PA in the first eight months of 2023 alone, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

Dedication to the Displaced Helping Refugees at Home

Jefferson has a commitment to helping refugees right here in Philadelphia and within our surrounding communities. The Refugee Health Partners and the Center for Refugee & Immigrant Health provides health care to refugees newly arrived in the United States.

A group of ten RHP students stand together in two rows smiling at the camera.

Empowering Refugees

Refugee Health Partners (RHP) enables refugees to take ownership of their health care and be active community members. RHP also cultivates culturally conscious care with screenings, education, tutoring, senior citizen engagement and more.

More about RHP

Did You Know?

Jefferson screens approximately 5-10 new refugees each week and continues to provide ongoing care for those individuals, including management of chronic conditions, facilitating access to specialists and providing obstetric and pediatric care.

Liberty and Access for All

One of only four programs in the nation recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Jefferson Center for Refugee & Immigrant Health aims to make health outcomes and health care access equitable for United States refugees and immigrants, regardless of native language or birth country.

More about the Center

Health care is hard to navigate even when you do speak English. Immigrants and refugees are facing unprecedented challenges today, and receiving health care shouldn’t be another barrier to overcome.

Dr. Marc Altshuler Professor and residency director of Family and Community Medicine and the clinical leader of the Wyss Center

Dedication to the Displaced Complete Care for Philadelphia Immigrants and Refugees

The Wyss Wellness Center is a health and wellness center designed to provide clinical care and social services to the immigrant and refugee community of Philadelphia, regardless of insurance status. Jefferson Health partners with Wyss Wellness Center to offer clinical and educational outreach activities and provide the highest quality, whole-body care.

The interior of the Wyss Wellness Center lobby, which features bright blue and green walls that say the name of the center and welcome in several languages, a reception desk, and waiting room furniture including couches, chairs and shelves.

With a focus on the immigrant population in addition to its surrounding South Philadelphia community, the Wyss Wellness Center delivers full-spectrum primary care, social services, wellness activities and other community focused programming.

Learn more

Creating Tomorrow A Continuing Commitment to Communities in Need

At Jefferson, we understand that no one lives in a vacuum. We have embraced a commitment to improve lives for communities in need from down the block to around the world. This dedication has been a key element of our past two centuries, and we will continue that rich tradition far into the future.

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