Crossroad Health Center

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    • Learn >
      • Care Coordination Team
      • Volunteer Internship Program
      • Community Health Education Program >
        • Community Health Education Program Application
      • For Current Students
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Volunteer Internship Program

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For Current Students
The Crossroad Volunteer Internship Program provides the opportunity for interns to experience the profound effects poverty has on healthcare through working one-on-one with patients. Interns assist patients as case managers and help schedule referral appointments at outside offices while taking into consideration potential limiting barriers such as lack of insurance or transportation issues. Interns strive to make healthcare as simple and accessible as possible for patients. Through this invaluable hands-on learning experience, students become familiar with insurance policies, office procedures, electronic medical records and more.

Students work in a clinical setting and assist physicians, nurses and administrators who are able to share their perspective through mentorship and clinical training. Interns are respected as professional members of the patient care team. As a result, they each gain an insider’s understanding of the operations of a community clinic— an experience that helps them determine their specific course for future academic endeavors. 

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This program is unique in that it is a year-long commitment, consisting of one 4 hour shift per week, where students directly communicate with patients, work on the clinical and administrative end of patient care, and establish relationships with the providers at our clinics. 
Although this program is geared towards undergraduate students interested in healthcare, social work, public health, or medical interpretation, career changers and graduate students are welcome to apply.
Our mission is to provide service-based, experiential learning for students in the Cincinnati community. This is achieved by partnering with leaders in primary care as a way to empower students to be changemakers in their own community through solidarity with the poor.  ​

Commitment

Interns commit to one year of working at Crossroad Health Center on pre-designated patient care tasks, as well as innovating new ways to use their unique time and talents to serve the patients, providers, and staff. The year is broken into three semesters, each of which require one 4 hour shift per week. Interns also attend monthly meetings in order to ensure quality care for the patient and reinforce lessons learned within the program.

Requirements 

Our only true requirement is completion of one semester of undergraduate coursework. We competitively recruit and train students across disciplines. Future healthcare administrators, epidemiologists, social workers, occupational therapists, nurses, and physicians are encouraged to apply. We currently have participants from the University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, Northern Kentucky University, Miami University, post-baccalaureate students, and other young professionals looking to enter the field of healthcare.

Application

We recruit new interns 3 times a year — the weeks prior to Fall Semester, Spring Semester, and Summer Semester. Application to the Crossroad Volunteer Internship Program is a competitive process and consists of the following: 

1) Online Application​
  • The Online Application will be opened and closed according to the schedule listed below. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot consider late online applications. 
  • The Online Application consists of:
    • Basic Application Information
    • Two Essay prompts
    • Professional Resume: 2 page maximum 
2)  Interview at Crossroad Health Center
  • After an initial evaluation of the online applications, eligible applicants will be invited to interview. Applicants will be interviewed in small groups, and they will be evaluated on an individual basis. Each group will be given a task to complete in the time allotted.

Questions regarding application to the Crossroad Volunteer Internship Program may be directed to crossroadhc@gmail.com. 
Spring 2023 Application Cycle

The summer 2023 applications will open on Monday, March 6 and close on Sunday, March 26. 
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For any additional questions about the application process, contact crossroadhc@gmail.com.
Spring 2023 Application

Guiding Principles
  • Build relationships with patients and the community
  • Support and learn from primary care providers through hands-on interactions
  • Be proactive and engaged in providing accessible health care to a diverse  patient population
  • Innovate new ways in which volunteers can participate in improving the delivery of care
  • Have a permanent and lasting effect on patient care and pre-medical education in our community
  • Guide the next generation of healthcare professionals by providing an immersive and formative experience in primary care medicine
History
The Crossroad Volunteer Internship Program was founded in January 2013 by Kyle Vath, Alex Pennekamp, and a group of seven premedical students. 
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​The idea for this program was championed by Alex Pennekamp, a pre-medical student and medical assistant at Crossroad. His vision was to create an experience where students in the Cincinnati community could learn about primary care medicine, witness health disparities in their own communities first-hand, and work to be a part of the solution. Alex went on to attend medical school at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. When asked what his Crossroad experience meant to him, as well as what he hopes other students will gain from the program, this is what he had to say:
Crossroad Health Center exposed me to a type of medicine that premedical and medical students rarely see: care of the neediest, most marginalized and socioeconomically depressed patients. This early exposure to inner-city primary care has certainly changed the trajectory of both my professional aspirations and my view of society in general. The reality and frustration that huge gaps in medical care exist were balanced by one idea: caring can make a difference. Without my experience at Crossroad interacting directly with patients as a premedical student, I would not have the framework and interest in working with underserved populations that I have now. I am infinitely grateful that in joining the Crossroad family, I have a group of professional contacts that have helped me understand the importance of compassionate care, spirituality and selflessness in practice.
Alex Pennekamp, 2013
Third Rotation Projects
Third Rotation Projects from Fall 2021
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Resources

Check out some of the voices we are paying attention to!

Articles
A Remedy for What Ails the Urban City by Santa Ono and Greer Glazer

Tackle child poverty with OTR fervor by Rob Richardson Jr.
The Epidemic of Disillusioned Doctors by Danielle Ofri
The Transportation Barrier by Imran Cronk
The Way to Beat Poverty by Nicholas Kristof
Turning 14 in Cincinnati by Krista Ramsey and Cara Owsley

Books
Ask Me Why I Hurt by Randy Christensen
Mountains beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Not All of Us Are Saints: A Doctor's Journey with the Poor by David Hilfiker
Waking Up In America: How One Doctor Brings Hope To Those Who Need It Most by Pedro Jose Greer Jr. 

TED Talks
Pedro Jose Greer Jr. 
Rebecca Onie
Rishi Manchanda
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Other
Declaration of Alma Ata
Frequently Asked Questions​
What is the typical role of an intern in the Volunteer Internship Program? 
Interns in the Volunteer Internship Program spend the majority of their four hours per week helping patients to schedule referral appointments for healthcare specialists. This involves direct contact with patients and hospitals in order to find an appointment that best suits patient needs. Interns schedule appointments while keeping in mind the barriers to healthcare patients may face, such as language, insurance, and transportation.

What do you consider when selecting applicants to interview? 
​Our program is targeted towards students who are interested in gaining interaction with patients in a low-income community. We are looking for hard-working and reliable individuals who conduct themselves professionally and compassionately. While our predominant applicant demographic is pre-medical students, we accept students from any background with an interest in serving the underserved. 

What if I am not accepted after interviewing?
We have three application cycles per year and encourage reapplication. All acceptances are relative to the applicant pool, so multiple applications may be necessary. In some cases, re-applying can provide an advantage, and we encourage applicants who have applied before to discuss how they have grown since their last application.

What kind of a commitment does the program entail?
Our volunteers commit to a four-hour shift each week at one of our three sites. Students work on pre-designated tasks, as well as innovating new ways to use our unique time and talents to serve the patients, providers, and staff. The year is broken into three rotations or semesters. 

Do you have to be a student to apply?
No, we accept applications from anyone who has completed at least one semester of college. Any recent graduate, professionals, or people taking a gap year are encouraged to apply to the program.

Do you have to be Christian to apply?
Anyone interested in spending their time helping underserved members of their community should apply. We are a health center rooted in Christian faith and we have staff members who engage in prayer and discussion of their Christian faith with patients and other staff members. Interns are welcome to participate if they feel comfortable, but they are not required.

Crossroad has multiple locations. Which location do interns work out of?
Each intern is placed in one of three Crossroad Health Center locations: Harrison, Over-the-Rhine, or West. Transportation concerns will be considered when determining intern placement, although we do ask interns to be flexible.

Crossroad is open on Saturday mornings. Will I be able to work a shift during this time?
Due to the nature of the work that volunteers do and the limited hours on select weekends, students do not complete shifts on Saturday mornings. Shifts are completed Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. 

Can I postpone a rotation?
It is possible to postpone a rotation, but only after you have served at least one rotation.  Ask for a rotation postponement form, fill it out, and return it one month prior to the start of the rotation to be postponed.  You may only postpone one rotation (i.e. postpone summer rotation).

Can I remain in the program past the year commitment?
Yes, you are more than welcomed to remain in the program as long as you are willing to continue to attend one 4 hour shift a week and monthly group meetings. You do not have to reapply to remain in the program

Can I miss a shift?
We understand that situations may arise when you may have to miss a shift, but we ask that this be a rare occurrence. Our patients depend on you!  If you are concerned about being able to attend a shift each week, this program may not be the right fit for you.

Can I receive credit for this program?
We want all our interns to receive acknowledgement for their amazing work with us!  We are more than happy to work with your school to make sure you receive appropriate service hours or academic credit where applicable.  However, it is your responsibility to provide us with any contact information and forms. We work closely with the following affiliates at UC:
  • University Honors Program
  • Professional Practice and Experiential Learning (ProPEL)
  • College of Allied Health Sciences
  • Cincinnatus
Our program coordinator is also happy to fill out reference forms and write letters of recommendation for interns. 

What if I'm unable to make a year long commitment?
Check out our Care Coordination Team or Community Health Education Program!
 
Do you have any job opportunities for students?
We offer job opportunities as they become available for students looking to take a gap year before pursuing further education. Please email crossroadhc@gmail.com with a resume and the time period for which you are seeking employment. Preference is given to students who have completed the Crossroad Volunteer Internship Program, Crossroad Care Coordination Program, or Crossroad Community Health Education Program.

Interns 

Alpha Eta Class, January 2023
Aubrey Jones
Kalysta Humenik
Meghan Sykes
Subhan Khalid
Payton Sullivan
Sabrina Grove
Sarah Hassan
Tannishtha Ray
​Vamshidhar Singidi

Alpha Zeta Class, September 2022
Akansha Khadka
Claire Deitz
Dahlia Losey
Jillian Covell
Makayla Wright
Nicole Ntim
Sandy Chan
Sarah Syed
Sofia Stitz
Stephanie Garcia
Weston Gaskins

Alpha Epsilon Class, May 2022
Immaculee Ingabire
James Cosgrove
Jenna Cusick
Kennedy Nicholson
Luke Schambow
Mitchell Briggs
Niyati Kanchan
Pranav Jayakumar
Ricky Villarreal
Rohan Desarapu
​Sajida Maouloud
​Shadi Omranian

Alpha Delta Class, January 2022
Adhish Kashyap
Ben Roman
Mahesh Muddaluri
Makenna Hendricks
Minahil Haroon
Patrick Quallich
Perry Li
Somya Pandey
​Tracey Mensah

Alpha Gamma Class, September 2021
Amaya Siddiqi
Anisha Ajmani
Anish Sharma
Darshit Dhanani
Israa Malik
Joanna Klika
Naga Pokala
Prinaben Patel
Samir Saddiqui
Tripura Vithala


Alpha Beta Class, May 2021
Abe Kim
Anika Arora
Brady Landon
Ciara Lambert
Divine Grayson
Ismael Reyes
Iyanna Bruce
Jon Zink
Kaaviya Muruganantham
Kate Perry
Meechi Georgiades
Murphy Penwell
Natasha Lee Arroyo Rodriguez
Simhya Karthikeyan
Yamaan Ahmad

Alpha Alpha Class, January 2021
Alexis Gemelas 
Ananya Reddy
Ashli Pratt
Bedika Pathak
Emaan Asghar
Emily Gonzalez
Emma Hess
Gargi Rajput
Himanshu Kaushik
Indraneel Kulkarni
Jasmine Xi
John Burwinkel
Keerthi Jonnala
Mariam Elgomos
Nithya Trichy 
Olivia Zamudio 
Preetveer Dhillon 
Rhianna Dunne
Sabarish Kirthivasan  
Samuel Frondorf  
Sophia Le 

Omega Class, September 2020
Adam Elzarka
Andrea Szep
Arianna Richter
Autumn Clark
Elliott Brown
FearGod Williams
Jill Ntim
Josh Corsiglia
Kristine Kreusch
Logan Lake
Michelle Phuong Nguyen
Naomi Admasu
Noor Amir
Sachi Shukla
Shivani Reddy
Sonali Doshi

Psi Class, May 2020
Amisha Saini
Aneesh Kathula
Anna Moug
Ariel Alappatt
Arihant Chordia
Harman Hayer
Jenna David
Manasa Sunkara
Maria Bobrowski-Artola
Matthew Soliman
Matthew Nieland
Maxon Knott
Noor Ghuniem
Vageesha Herath

Chi Class, January 2020
Alyson Johnson
Anna Vogel
Clarissa Del Pozzo-Pardo
Harnoor Mann
Jamaluddin Pracha
Karishma Ponkshe
Katrina DeLeon
Madeline Schumacher
Megha Mohanakrishnan
Meredith "Grace" Gieske
Priya Patel

Phi Class, September 2019
Munachimso Anachebe
Rita Atalor
Emmanuella Baah-Binney
Olivia Biddle
Francisco de la Garza Iga
Thu Nguyen
Oluwadamilola Omojola
Milan Parikh
Dhriti Sharma
Ysabelle Simbol
Aaron Williams
​Mahnoor Zahra

Upsilon Class, May 2019
Marisa Brownlee
Morgan Bumgarner
Olivia Dillman
​Tasneem Ikram
​Fatima Khan
Omair Khan
Michael Nichols
Emmanuel Ohiomah
Urjasvi Patel
Priyanka Vemuru
​Grace Vonder Brink
Heather Wardwell


​​Tau Class, January 2019
Nadia Alam
Chloe Boehmer
​Tatum Crampton
Emily Decker
Emily Jamieson
Charlotte Kirchhoff
Rishi Mehta
Palak Patel
Krista Murphy
Sarah Ray
​Erica Roeder
Josika Sammarco
Kathleen Topp

Sigma Class, September 2018
Grant Guzzo
Brendan Ho
Margot Meredith
Anna Ottlinger
Gissel Salas

​Rho Class, May 2018
Emmanuel Bagirov
Lauren Baker
Adam Boiman
​Meghna Chandorkar
Arthur Cobb
Abby Crawford
Matt Doyle
Karen Garn
Rebecca Knaley
Lydia Murphy
Maryam Mysorewala
Hely Patel
Ashley Schultz
Sadiq Silbak
Sofia Villaveces

Pi Class, January 2018
Vikranth Doppalapudi
Amanda Schliesman
Amy Perry
Benmun Damul
Cameron Carothers
Elena Penhos
Erin Brooke
Haylee Kupiec
Ijeoma Ndupu
Linh Tran
Marisa Elizabeth Planck
Savannah Hope Legg
Sydney Olszewski

Omicron Class, September 2017
Harsh Patel
Griffin Bates
Azl Saeed
Vincent D'Anniballe
Kellsa Mbah
Lauren Houshel
Evan Green
Molly MacLeod
Mykia Lee
Venkat Suru
Franny Nazzarine
Michael Hilvert
Sebastian Revilla Obando
Riley Williams 

Xi Class, May 2017
Mridula Bethi
Sam Blizzard
Akhil Kavuri
Eric Lynch
Farhan Ilyas
Andrew Snider
Karlee Proctor
Grace Kelly
Madeline Carroll
Nora Lakes
Grace Thomas
Jen Stoker
Sam Paul
Sarah Merz
Cornelius Kish
Sierra Shockley
Colleen Guffey
​Kasie Feck

Nu Class, January 2017
Regan Bales
Gabrielle Fernandez

Erica Geers
Julia Harrison
Chandler Hutchinson
Michelle Indelicato
Nina Marich
Lily Marrero
Zoha Mian
Vighnesh Ramesh
Swairah Rehman
Sachika Singh
McKenzie Stauffer
Lindsay Weaver
Bailey Windell


Mu Class, September 2016
Shannon Cunningham
​Kaitlyn Davis
​Angela Ellis
​​Rachel Haney
​Olivia Humphrey
​Emily Kim
​Anna Klunk
Erica Lampert
​Michael Liggett
​Hannah Lodin
​Mitchell McMurray
​Rahul Sandella
​Tiffany Shi
​Bhargav Vemuri​
Stephen Walden

Lambda Class, May 2016
Ashley Reinert
Carrie Baird
Costina Luc
Dajah Siplin
Gabrielle Truitt
Imani Rogers
Jess Chima
Katherine Wilcher
Kimberlin Trauthwein
Michaela Slevin
Molly Frydl
Nada El-Sayed
Nadia Bayyari
Prasun Shah
Rachel Serafin
Shea Vogelsong
Bridget Dames


Kappa Class, January 2016
Alexander Waldherr
Ana Calvopina
Anna Layman
Anthony Pantano
Bader Kiwan
Christian Adams
Dakota Lipps
Dana Belizaire
Danyelle Roan
Drew Schierloh
Durga Prasad Samanthula
Jacob Ciricillo
John Sternen
Joseph Kavanaugh
Joseph Scharf
Julie Chang
Lauren Donovan
Majdulynn Hussein
Makayla McClurg
Mckenzie Ackemyer
Natalie Castillo
Niusha Jahanpanah
Oise Omoijuanfo
Pedro Lopez Garcia
Sarah Gaston
Shannon Kelly
Shazia Malik
Sophie Daiber

Iota Class, September 2015
Adam Purvis
Aminata Seye
Andrew Warner
Austin Songer
Beatriz Hernandez
Cameron Wallace
Carlos Munoz
Cooper Quartermaine
Haley Beavers
Janelle Tucker
Jeremy Rieskamp
Linda Venturato
Luke Knudson
Megan Donaldson
Meghan Berry
Tyus Temple

Theta Class, May 2015
Adonis Hawari
Andrew Dickson
Angelica Hardee
Calvin Larson
Daniel Kang
Emma Dwenger
Malia Smolenski
Mazie Eves
Morgan Alexander
Sarah Kaising

Eta Class, January 2015
Aichetou Waiga
Brenna Walters
Dakota Kulis
Emily Hoff
Gabe Brown
Kelsey Robinson
Kira Liggins
Klara Lisy
Melissa Johns
Mohammed Elzarka
Rachel Odin
Rhyanna McDade
Sarah Craig
Shivank Singh
Taylor Clarke
Teresa Rust
William Stone

Zeta Class, September 2014
Alma Onate
Ayushi Jain
Drew Philip
Frank Womble
Jacob Knorr
Katlyn McKenna
Nik Raju
Samantha Hampton
Yasmeen Daher

Epsilon Class, May 2014
Angela Galli
Calyn Crawford
Dylan Sexton
Ellis Green
Evan Franz
George Adly
Irwin Mahajan
Katie Copp
Laura Frankenfeld
Lisa McKinney
Michael Rentz
Nisarg Bakshi
Rich Dowd
Sara Fieger

Delta Class, January 2014
Akshayaa Venkatakrishnan
Chris Gonzelez
James Kelly
Katie Woebkenberg
Kirsten Boone
Molly Perkins
Prapti Shah
Sami Nandyal

Gamma Class, September 2013
James Vonderberg
Kathe Pocker
Mahima Venkatesh
Mark McIntyre
Paul Hochwalt

Beta Class, May 2013
Michael Petrany
Nicki Klass
Rachel Mantyla
Sarah Williams
Shannon Reilly
Teresa Whitaker
Vivian Chang

Alpha Class, January 2013
Cameron Ingram
Caroline Hensley
Emily Blatz
Julia Tasset
Lauren Klapp

About | Contact | Hours & Locations 

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Our mission is to give honor to Jesus Christ by providing accessible, comprehensive health care in partnership with our patients and community leading to healthy, changed lives.
This health center receives HHS funding and has federal Public Health Service deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals." For more information, please see http://www.bphc.hrsa.gov.ftca/
Christian Community Health Services (dba Crossroad Health Center) is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization. Copyright © 2023 Crossroad Health Center. All rights reserved. This health center is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b, and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n).
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