About Us
Our Vision
A healthcare community that fosters self-sufficiency with dignity.
Improving patient care and ourselves
We work with health clinics and patients so the patient can get more complete care.
Informing and empowering patients to meet their specific needs helps the patient get
better control of their wellness, lessens the need for future medical services, and
eases the strain many clinics and healthcare providers feel.
How we do this is as varied as the patients themselves. It's difficult to describe
the scope of the services we provide because we are as flexible as the clinics and
doctors need us to be. The best way to understand what we do is to hear from the people
we work with.
Our Opportunities
Clinical
(Health Advocates)
Connect2Health health advocates collaborate with patients to create personalized “Resource Prescriptions” that address their unique needs, offering support in areas like housing, food, and education. They provide ongoing assistance, including application help and follow-ups, to empower patients in accessing community resources and fostering positive change in their lives and communities.
Administrative
(Committee Chairs)
At Connect2Health, Chairs are vital in promoting the organization’s mission through community outreach, resource management, marketing, and data analysis. They build relationships with local organizations to recruit volunteers, maintain the Resource Database, manage the online presence, and create impact reports, all aimed at empowering individuals and improving community health resources.
Our History
Connect2Health originated as a student project in the University of Utah Honors Praxis Lab, where students identified a gap between community resource providers and individuals in need, as well as the need for impactful volunteering opportunities within the community. To address these challenges, they established Connect2Health.
The initiative began serving patients at the Fourth Street Clinic in 2012. In 2014, Connect2Health partnered with University of Utah Health, expanding its reach by forming multiple teams to support patients across various clinics and hospital units within the U Health system. Over the years, Connect2Health has continued to address social determinants of health by working with a variety of clinics and organizations to support those in need.
Structure
Health Advocates
Health advocates meet individually with patients to better understand their needs and priorities. They work collaboratively with patients to create an individualized "Resource Prescription" using the C2H Resource Database.
Committee Chairs
Chairs play a vital role in driving our mission forward through leadership and collaboration across various functions such as Community Outreach, Recruitment, Resource Management, Marketing and Communications, and Data and Analytics.
Board of Directors
Board members support the program by removing access and resource barriers to advance its mission in a sustainable manner. They are committed to student success and professional development.
Site Leaders
Site leaders manage and support health advocates at each site. They track hours served, absences, and re-schedule health advocates’ shifts. Additionally, they are the liaison between the program manager and the clinic leadership.
Program Manager
The Program Manager oversees the entire program, including budget management and strategic planning. Their key role is to support all student volunteers and Community Partners in achieving program goals.
Community Partners
Community Partners are third-party clinics who enter into an agreement with C2H to support their patients through the service of health advocates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a certain major to join Connect2Health?
No. Connect2Health students come from a wide range of undergraduate programs. While there is a large number of students who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, we also work with students in social work, business, anthropology, philosophy, gender studies, among others.
Do I need to be a current student at the University of Utah?
Yes! Connect2Health is only available for current undergraduate students at the University of Utah. If you are transferring to the U, please apply for the term in which you will be matriculated at the U.
How often and long are the reflection sessions? What do they cover?
Reflection sessions take place once a month during the academic year. We host 2 in-person reflection sessions and 2 virtual sessions. At these gatherings, we hear from a panel of experts on how social determinants of health impact the work they do in the community. They also serve as an opportunity to network and connect with your peers and community leaders.
Can I serve for only one semester?
No. Connect2Health students are expected to serve for a full academic year. In order to protect patient information and maintain their safety, we have a rigorous onboarding process which may take up to 4 weeks. For this reason, we onboard students who can make a commitment to serve for a full year. The program does work around your schedule each semester as we know your availability may look different in Fall and Spring or Spring and Summer. Additionally, consistency is the best way to foster trust with our community partners and the patients we serve. By volunteering on a more regular basis, we are able to build bonds and provide students with a more meaningful service.