Seventeen rising seniors from Washington, D.C.-area public and charter high schools recently wrapped up the DC Health and Academic Preparation Program (DC HAPP) summer experience with a community health project poster presentation in July.
This year’s community health projects featured presentations on, “Mind Match: A Holistic App-Based Intervention for Post-Pandemic Adolescent Mental Health,” T2DC: Transitional Support for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” “Field Days Against Flu Days: Decreasing Missed School Days in the D.C. Metropolitan Area Due to Influenza,” and “Who’s Hangry?: Food Insecurity and Psychosocial Adjustment in DC Teens.”
DC HAPP, offered through the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences’ Office of Diversity and Inclusion, originally launched in 2009, through a two-years congressional grant administered through the U.S. Department of Education. Following a brief hiatus at the conclusion of the grant, the program returned in 2015 to offer D.C. students an immersive learning experience in medicine, patient care, and health equity careers.
The program offers hands-on experience in a variety of areas, including intubation, drawing blood, and even assisting in a mock birthing process. They also earn CPR certification and learn about health care careers at organizations. Students are accepted for the four-week summer program based on recommendations from teachers or guidance counselors and their demonstrate interest in pursuing health care.
