A facet of my service experience I find myself returning to is the temporary nature of any AmeriCorps position. Though there is absolutely an impact in acutely solving issues, the power of long-term impact cannot be understated. My current role is not permanent, and the AmeriCorps positions themselves experience much transience. This brings up the issue of how to ensure a lasting impact and create something that can be continued after an AmeriCorps member’s service term ends. I have grappled with the best methods to go about this throughout my service term and attempted different strategies that I hoped would have a sustained impact. One way of doing this was through creating a Patient Education Binder to have at each shelter site. These binders contain fliers I’ve designed and compiled with information on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There are fliers for various STIs, explaining the basics, including treatment and prevention methods. I’ve noticed a lack of knowledge and awareness can lead to the spread of anxiety and fears that could have been prevented with a quick and simple line of reassurance. With an online folder version of this binder as well, I hope these fliers can be utilized in years to come to clear up discrepancies and allow patients to feel a bit more authority over their health. 

However, I feel that my AmeriCorps service term will have a lasting impact in another way: how I view healthcare and public health as a whole, and how I plan to practice as a Physician Associate in the future. This role has taught me how to better serve a diverse population and help make a difficult system work for the patient. I recognize I can bring the tools I gained from this experience to other communities I will live and work in. The work San Francisco’s Department of Public Health is doing has shown me there is always more we can do for our patients and our community.