The Michele Tracy Project - Deanna Sasaki-Adams

Project Summary:

I am working to coordinate the Michele Tracy Project, a partnership between MEDIC and the CHAS house. The program is designed to provide a preventative health clinic or seminar for the residents of the CHAS house on a monthly basis. Each month will be devoted to a different topic in health care, such as smoking cessation, depression screenings, cholesterol screenings, etc. CHAS is a transitional housing complex devoted to low income individuals. Many of the residents do not have health insurance or a primary physician. The goal of the program is to address health concerns that commonly affect their population and to provide education and awareness of health problems in order to limit primary care visits.

Major Steps Taken as of Dec. 99:

Major Challenges

The project was formerly called the CHAS project, but has since been renamed as the Michele Tracy Project. This title has received some controversy which has been difficult for me to deal with. I am trying to respect all opinions concerning the naming as well as try to uphold something that I believe Ms. Tracy would have wanted. I have talked to many people regarding the subject and am trying to proceed with sincerity and tactfulness.

Partnerships Developed

A partnership between MEDIC, CHAS and the Kremer foundation
A partnership between MEDIC, CHAS and the Kremer foundation
LOCUS members and faculty have been very helpful and supportive.

Funding:

A joint proposal between MEDIC and CHAS was accepted for funding by the Kremer foundation. The foundation has granted $5,000 for the project over a two year period.

LOCUS's Role in Your Project

I feel very privileged to be a member of LOCUS. I am very impressed with everyone else in the program and look forward to working together. I am enjoying this project but I am also pondering some others. Possibly there would be room for two or three LOCUS fellows to develop a project together.