Mount Sinai EMT, Joshua Kimbrell, NRP, CCP-C, C-NPT, provides BridgeUP Health program participants a tour of an ambulance and a demonstration of a simulation outside The Mount Sinai Hospital.
The Mount Sinai Department of Health Education’s award-winning BridgeUP Health Program encourages teens ages 15-18 to engage with some of the most pressing public health challenges of our time, exploring the intersections of science and medicine, civic engagement, and community advocacy.
For the past five years, this program has sought to build skills, foster pride, and nurture community connection so that all participants see themselves as powerful agents of change.
This year, the Department expanded the program from a summer intensive into a year-round education and empowerment offering.
Throughout the school year, participants continued their in-depth exploration of public health issues, cultivated professional skills, connected with leaders at the Mount Sinai Heath System and community guest speakers, and engaged in research skill-building activities. The Department held several in-person events where participants could engage in a range of exciting activities including CPR training, neuroscience learning and exploration, future goal-setting, and creative expression.
For their final projects, each person chose a public health topic that matters to them and conducted informal research through literature reviews, interviews with subject matter experts, and the development and dissemination of an original survey.
Participants investigated a wide range of topics such as teen mental health, disparities in air quality, and the economic impact of congestion pricing on communities across New York City. They presented their findings to Health System and community partners, showcasing their deep connection to complex public health issues.
The program was a hit among participants.
“Before BridgeUp Health, public health felt intimidating,” said Janice Nie, age 17. “This program has broken down complex issues and helped me understand how they manifest in our communities every day. I’m genuinely excited to keep learning and engaging with these topics.”
“This experience has taught me a lot on how to express myself and stand up for the things I believe in,” said Giselle Vasquez, age 15. “It’s taught me to not stay quiet when I think something should be said. I hope to do more for the problems I think are serious.”
The program was supported by the Health System, community partners, and the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation.
