I chose social work because I grew up in a rural community with a significant shortage

of resources and access to care. Witnessing these gaps firsthand inspired me to

become an advocate for vulnerable populations. I developed a strong desire to help

individuals and families navigate systemic barriers and access the support they need to

improve their overall well-being.

Med Serve is a program through AmeriCorps that allows students interested in pre-health careers, such as becoming a physician or a physician's assistant, to serve for two years at a clinic in North Carolina. All the clinics focus on primary care in some form or fashion, and fellows serve in different clinical roles as medical assistants, health coaches, scribes, and anything related to that. They also serve in a community health role as health educators, outreach personnel, population health specialists, and more.

Ruby is a second-year medical student at the UNC School of Medicine. During her time, she has been shadowing Dr. Thakur and taking a deeper look into which AMM patients have gone to the Emergency Department (ED) in the last three months and the reason for their visit.

Taya is a second-year medical student at the UNC School of Medicine. During her time at AMM, she will be focusing on how AMM’s process of referrals to nephrologists, a doctor who specializes in kidneys, to see how it can help patients, what issues may arise, and how we can better the referral process.

As the days become longer and the temperatures rise, sleep patterns can often change

and become harder to maintain. June's early sunrises, late sunsets, and growing

humidity can make it difficult to sleep well. However, restful nights are still possible with

a few simple modifications.

Nicky Delgado was a former NC Med Assist program coordinator and patient services assistant at AMM, who is now starting a position as a Genetic Counselor for Duke as part of a research study called “Undiagnosed Diseases Network.” She is a recent graduate of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia with a Master’s in Genetic Counseling. During Nicky’s time at AMM, she coordinated the NC Med Assist applications, worked at the front desk, and helped educate patients on their medications.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a period devoted to promoting mental health, eradicating stigma, and providing support. Mental health is still stigmatized, misunderstood, and infrequently discussed, despite the fact that everyone is affected differently. This month is an important opportunity of the importance of taking care of ourselves and others, to acknowledge the significance of mental health, and normalize honest conversations about mental health.