Simrah Hamid of Ada, Mich., joined the Michigan Primary Care Association AmeriCorps HealthCorps Program in 2021 and served as a health coach at Catherine’s Health Center in Grand Rapids. MPCA AmeriCorps members focus on connecting low income and medically underserved populations to primary and preventative care services available through community health centers.
“Through my service, I have witnessed important skills that are crucial to a patient’s well-being,” Simrah explained. “As a health coach, I was able to utilize social determinants of health to implement lifestyle changes in patients, specifically focusing on both mental and physical health. I worked with diverse marginalized communities where I had the privilege of listening to them and reflecting upon their environments to help them achieve their health goals through diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and stress management.”
Karen VanSchooick, MPCA AmeriCorps Program Administrative Specialist, added: “Simrah is outgoing and passionate about helping the community, and a leader in developing new programs to serve the community. I am so proud to serve with this young woman, her compassion and dedication to helping the community and leadership will certainly take her far in her pursuits.”
When Simrah completed her AmeriCorps service term, she stayed in the medical field where she now works as a Medical Assistant. “My AmeriCorps service has enhanced my passions for helping underserved populations in a health setting and has influenced how I would like to make an impact on patients as a future physician. My time as an AmeriCorps member has further influenced my goals to prioritize human connection to shape healthcare into an accessible resource for all patients,” she noted. “It has allowed me to further build empathy with my patients, build connections, and create a sense of belonging by recognizing the impact of socioeconomic factors.”
Simrah continues to actively volunteer after completing her AmeriCorps service experience. “I have been engaging in a number of projects; however some are more limited than others due to the ongoing pandemic. For example, one I engage in heavily has been continuing to go out into the public and volunteer at certain events in the community such as vaccine clinics to help others understand the importance of staying safe and preventing the spread of diseases. I hope to continue to spread the positive experiences I have had during service and to be a role model for others passionate about volunteering. Furthermore, in every town I visit, I seek to recognize the disparities that exist and will continue to use my work as a way to bridge the gap between communities and advocate throughout my life for serving for others.”
Learn more about the MPCA AmeriCorps HealthCorps and other Michigan’s AmeriCorps programs making a positive impact in communities across Michigan. For more information about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov.
–Michigan.gov