fbpx

Since the fall semester of 2013, The College of Wooster has partnered with the Wooster Community Hospital’s Community Care Network (CCN) program.

Each year, approximately 60 Wooster students are involved with the Community Care Network as Health Coaches. Student participants benefit from a rigorous training program which enables them to work, under close medical supervision, as Health Coaches with carefully chosen patients who need companionship and encouragement in developing healthier lifestyles. The goals of the program for the hospital are to promote wellness, reduce the need for potentially unnecessary procedures and hospitalizations and promote delivery of evidenced based care for patients who might otherwise be over-utilizing hospital resources.

“It’s a great learning experience as far as intrinsic knowledge, learning about diseases, and medications. It’s also just really rewarding. I get home every day, and I feel like I’ve really helped someone. I feel like I’ve really impacted someone’s life and that’s a great feeling.” — Scott Perkins ’20

In the first semester in the program, the Health Coach-in-training attends weekly lectures taught by a variety of health care professionals, including physicians, nurses, dietitians, and social workers. The Coach also completes CPR certification and receives .5 credits for the course. Class assignments stress teamwork, developing diagnostic capacities, and acquiring a strong background in the major diseases which are largely impacted by lifestyle choices.

In subsequent semesters students are assigned their own patients whom they visit on a weekly basis. The Health Coaches assist Community Care Network patients with health goals and report back to the professional team on each patient’s progress towards measurable health goals. There is an ongoing relationship between each Coach and all the professionals in the Community Care Network, but especially with the Coach’s supervisor—a trained nurse who is always available for consultation.

Drs. Amy Jolliff and Paul Nielsen, Co-Medical Directors of the Community Care Network, meet with the students regularly for updates on each of the patients in the program. They offer advice and guidance to the students who then, in turn, return to their patients and implement the agreed upon plan.

Graduates of The College of Wooster who have gone on to medical and other professional graduate schools have reported back to us that the skills they acquired in the Health Coach Program have given them a great advantage, and many medical schools are actively seeking to admit students with this kind of hands-on experience in patient care.

Schedule a Pre-Health Advising Appointment

Call 330-263-2496 or email prehealth@wooster.edu.

Advising Committee MemberTitleArea
Grit HerzmannAssociate ProfessorPsychology
Nick BrandleyAssociate ProfessorBiology
Jamie AdlerHealth Professions AdvisorAPEX
Ashleigh BestDirector, Career PlanningAPEX

Read more about the Health Coach Program

Julianna Fiori ’25

Psychology major makes personalized impact on children’s well-being

Julianna Fiori ’25, a psychology major and statistical and data sciences minor completing the public health pathway at The College of Wooster, realized her […]

Angel Asamoah ’25, a neuroscience major at The College of Wooster

Angel Asamoah ’25 receives prestigious Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service

Angel Asamoah ’25, a neuroscience major at The College of Wooster, was recognized for her commitment to public service and social change by the […]

Garrett Morris '24

Economics and biology double major gains hands-on experience with patient care through APEX Fellowship at Wooster Community Hospital

Garrett Morris ’24, an economics and biology double major at The College of Wooster, spent his summer working as a health coach through the […]

Lindsi Filippi '24

Neuroscience major extends health coach experience with APEX Fellowship

Lindsi Filippi ’24, a neuroscience major and biology minor at The College of Wooster from Pickerington, Ohio, spent the summer engaged in an APEX […]

Neuroscience-psychology major extends health coach experience with APEX Fellowship

Lindsi Filippi ’24, a neuroscience-psychology major and biology minor at The College of Wooster from Pickerington, Ohio, spent the summer engaged in an APEX […]

Eleanor Weiker '24

Student-designed public health major gains clinical experience with APEX fellowship

Eleanor Weiker ’24, a rising senior at The College of Wooster, personalized her educational experience with a student-designed public health major, along with completing […]

Community Care Network Leaders

Community Care Network reaches 10-year milestone of fostering a healthier community

The College of Wooster and Wooster Community Hospital (WCH) are celebrating 10 years of a partnership that has led to a healthier community and […]

Macy Bischoff

APEX Fellowship | Macy Bischoff

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Class Year: 2022 Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Faculty Mentor: Dr. Hamed Goharipour As a Health Coach, I collaborated with the Wooster […]

Kirsten Buchan

APEX Fellowship | Kirsten Buchan

Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Class Year: 2022 Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Faculty Mentor: Dr. Stephanie Strand As a Health Coach, I collaborated with the Wooster […]

Rachel Brandon '18

Neuroscience alumna pursues medical social work career

Wooster’s health coach program provided introduction to palliative care

Camille Carr ’22

Religious studies major writes children’s book about sibling with a life-limiting illness

Camille Carr ’22 draws from personal experience in 'Bev and Lil'

Rephael Berkooz

APEX Fellowship | Rephael Berkooz

Major: Mathematics Class Year: 2021 Faculty Mentor: Cody Leary Research assistant, College of Wooster. I analyzed the economic and healthcare impact of the Health […]

Scott Perkins ’20 collaborated with Dr. Paul Nielsen ’95 (pictured) and Dr. Amy Jolliff, co-medical directors of the Wooster Community Care Network, and Alex Davis, director, to evaluate the outcomes of the Health Coach program.

Student health coaches act as medical reporters for community network

When Scott Perkins ’20 enters the home, he may be checking for sugary and fatty foods in the fridge or full pill bottles on […]

Russell Boston

Senior Russell Boston is Making an Impact as a Health Coach

Part of Wooster Community Hospital’s Community Care Network