Personal Patient Navigators (PPNs)

Since its inception in 2020, the Center for Surgical Health has relied on a team of dedicated volunteer Personal Patient Navigators (PPNs) to help underserved and undersupported patients access surgical care.

 

When patients are referred to CSH, they are paired with a volunteer who functions as their PPN. PPNs assist patients by:

  • Helping them secure financial assistance

  • Supplying transportation vouchers

  • Arranging translation services

  • Escorting patients to tests & appointments

  • Helping patients identify resources to actively participate in surgical care

  • Staffing our subspecialty clinics, where patients are assessed for surgical needs

 

Currently, our PPNs are a group of passionate medical students, graduate students, and post-baccalaureate students from across the University of Pennsylvania campus.

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About our PPNs

Reasons our PPNs joined CSH

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31 individuals surveyed

Subspecialty where PPNs volunteer

15 PPNs surveyed

PPN desire for community service in career

31 individuals surveyed

What our PPNs say about CSH

"Working as a PPN has been the most rewarding part of medical school so far. I have been able to form a close relationship with the patient I PPN for and I am absolutely honored that I have been able to be a part of this person's experience in the hospital. I have gotten to know my patient's family and their story, and I am so, so grateful that CSH gave me the opportunity to be there for this patient during a very challenging time for them."