Ethan Boyle, a student from Geisinger School of Medicine’s MD Class of 2028, has been awarded the Gold Student Summer Fellowship by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation. His project titled “Action Against Healthcare Inequalities for Patients Experiencing Substance Abuse and Homelessness” aims to improve healthcare access for individuals served by Scranton’s Community Intervention Center (CIC).
Boyle’s initiative will involve recording weekly vital signs for 100-150 patients, distributing hygiene and harm-reduction products, and connecting patients with free healthcare clinics. The primary objective is to rebuild trust between this vulnerable population and healthcare systems.
Boyle, who aspires to specialize in psychiatry, was motivated to apply for the fellowship due to his community immersion experiences at Geisinger’s School of Medicine. He stated, “One reason I came to Geisinger was its community focus… Volunteering at the CIC helped me to see the correlation between things like mental health and substance use, and how supporting hygiene can also support better health.”
In collaboration with faculty mentor Kate Lafferty-Danner, PhD, assistant professor of medical humanities and community engagement, Boyle designed a 10-week summer project that emphasizes promoting healthcare access through education and harm-reduction strategies. The project includes conducting weekly vital-sign screenings and making referrals to healthcare clinics for preventive care.
Boyle explained his goals: “My goal is to bridge the gap between CIC patients and healthcare services by providing hygiene and harm-reduction products like Narcan… offering healthcare education and connecting patients to free medical services like the Leahy Clinic at The University of Scranton.” He will manage inventory and create educational materials as part of his responsibilities.
The impact of Boyle’s work will be assessed through data collected from weekly vital sign checks, demand for hygiene products, patient feedback, and records from the Leahy Clinic. To ensure continuity after his involvement ends, Boyle plans to train new medical students.
The fellowship program selects a limited number of medical students annually through a competitive process requiring detailed project proposals that align with its objectives. Projects must address needs identified by communities or affected patients.
About Geisinger College of Health Sciences: The college focuses on innovation in educating future healthcare leaders. It offers various programs including graduate medical education and research initiatives aimed at enhancing community health.
