Child Advocacy and Community Engagement (CHACE) Academic Community

Faculty Lead: Cristin Q. Fritz, MD, MPH

The Child Advocacy and Community Engagement (CHACE) academic community will learn how social and economic conditions impact the health of our patients, families and communities and how best to advocate for their needs. We will strengthen our knowledge base and communication skills, and learn the process of Advocacy.

Community Members Visits Second Harvest Food Bank

We aim to work within our community to improve the health of Nashville's children. We have an annual community field trip to visit one of Nashville's community support agencies (Nashville Rescue Mission, Second Harvest Foodbank, the Oasis Center, etc.). We also work in the Vanderbilt University Medical School’s student run free clinic, Shade Tree.

 

Some requirements may be fulfilled on your second year required Advocacy rotation. Those who complete the curriculum will be well suited to pursue a career in community-based or academic practice or embark upon Advocacy-specific projects within their medical subspecialty.

Objectives

  • Recognize the role of advocacy in child health.
  • Learn how the legislative process works and how to access local and state government leaders.
  • Understand societal and cultural factors that influence child health.
  • Learn how to use Media effectively to communicate your message.
  • Learn the fundamentals of Health Policy and its application to child health.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and community agencies.
  • Learn how to assess and access community resources.
  • Recognize that advocating for children is part of one's professional role as a Pediatrician.

Requirements

Doc Night 2019

  • Attend monthly learning sessions, including journal clubs, book clubs, and lectures from community members on topics relevant to child health advocacy
  • Generate Personal Goals/Learning or objectives to target your learning for your passion
  • Complete one ‘Advocacy in Action’ activity, such as shadowing a child health advocate, attending a school board meeting, participating in media
  • Complete one ‘Advocacy Scholarship activity, such as leading a book club, writing a one-pager, present an advocacy focused lecture
  • Participate in at least one Legislative Advocacy session during residency
  • Regular meetings with CHACE faculty lead and Scholarly Project Mentor

Scholarly Project

  • All members will be required to produce a community-based scholarly research project with the assistance of selected mentor.
  • The project will be presented at the Department of Pediatrics Research Retreat.
  • The project may also be presented at a regional or national level and may result in publication.