Chisimdi Aguwa, MPH ‘27 (NHP Summer 2026 Intern)
Going into my search for summer opportunities, I hoped to find an organization that would inform my goals as a future physician and public health leader. Joining the Neighborhood Health Project not only met this goal, but exceeded what I imagined.
Saturday mornings quickly became the highlight of my week. In the bustling food pantry where NHP holds its clinics, I learned how to take blood pressures and glucose measurements, while familiar faces emerged as I distributed resources such as diapers and menstrual products. I saw NHP’s directors and volunteers go above and beyond to connect patients with the care and resources they need, and learned to approach my own clinical encounters similarly.
I also had the opportunity to contribute to several projects this summer. I led a patient needs survey to better understand our patients’ priorities, which will inform future initiatives around nutrition education, transportation barriers, and referrals. I also planned a collaboration with the Unhoused Activists Community Team, bringing NHP’s resource table to the New Haven Green and tailoring supplies to what community members experiencing homelessness identified as most useful. Finally, I contributed to Know Your Numbers, helping develop a take-home card where patients can record their blood pressure and glucose readings, understand healthy ranges, and access additional resources.
Through these experiences, I saw how I can combine my interest in medicine with community-centered public health. NHP taught me that meaningful interventions begin with listening to patients and community partners, and committing to understand needs that may not be visible at first glance. I am grateful for the relationships I built and memories I made, and look forward to continuing my involvement with the clinic.
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Micah Okwah, MPH ‘27 (NHP Summer 2026 Intern)
My summer with the Neighborhood Health Project was an incredibly meaningful experience that strengthened my appreciation for community-centered preventive care. Each Saturday reminded me that improving health is not only about identifying abnormal numbers, but also about helping people understand what those numbers mean and what they can do next.
One of the highlights of my internship was developing the Know Your Numbers initiative. Building on NHP’s existing blood pressure screening, I worked to create practical resources that could make health information more accessible to our patients. This included developing a blood pressure and blood glucose tracking card and collaborating with Comics & Care to create a visual hypertension education handout. Seeing these ideas develop from early discussions into finished, reusable resources was especially rewarding.
Beyond my individual projects, I valued working alongside NHP’s student directors, volunteers, faculty advisors, and community partners. I learned how much thoughtful collaboration happens behind the scenes to make each Saturday clinic possible.
I leave this summer grateful for the relationships I built, the patients and community members I had the opportunity to serve, and the chance to contribute something that can continue beyond my internship. I look forward to seeing the Know Your Numbers resources piloted in future clinics and continuing to support NHP’s mission.
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Arya Desai, American University ‘29 (NHP Summer 2026 Intern)
