Elizabeth “Lizzie” Suschana, 28, a fourth-year UConn medical student, class of 2025 from Somers, Connecticut, is a proud Urban Service Track/AHEC scholar.
The Urban Service Track is a special, competitive, and interprofessional CT AHEC training program that she applied for and accepted while enrolled at the UConn School of Medicine. She had the unique opportunity to learn and volunteer with other health professions students from UConn’s schools of medicine, dentistry, social work, pharmacy, and nursing, as well as medical assistant students from Quinnipiac University, while also providing free community health care in Hartford and coordinating student-organized health fairs and other urban service events. She helped support CT AHEC’s resumption of work with farms in rural communities in 2023, whose work was limited during the ongoing pandemic.
“The Urban Services Track is really good at getting us out of our comfort zone, whether it’s in a new urban care environment or by teaching us leadership skills. I’ve grown a lot academically and professionally thanks to the program,” says Suschana. “I’ve seen many different approaches to patient care from healthcare providers, especially the nursing students who are great at communicating with patients.”
For her contributions to the community and the larger Urban Service Track program, Suschana was even awarded a 2024 Leadership Award.
“Doing community service and being recognized for your hard work is really rewarding. But being on the front lines and seeing the immediate impact you have on disadvantaged people and groups and how grateful they are for it is incredibly rewarding in itself.”
In June 2024, the Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars reached the $1 million milestone in their history since 2007, when UConn students gave back to the community, providing free health screenings, health promotion education, and referrals to dental and medical assistance facilities.
“This is a really big deal!” says Suschana. “This $1 million allocation for free care within the community shows the power of the Urban Service Track program. The work that UST students, faculty and staff do for the community is incredible. Reaching the $1 million mark reminds us of all the coordination that goes into this program on the front lines and the time that UConn students give back to the community. It really shows the far-reaching impact of the Urban Service Track and its grantees since its inception.”
Suschana adds, “This confirms the positive impact our program has on the most vulnerable people in Connecticut. There are huge disparities in healthcare and access in the Hartford area. For example, many people cannot stay home from work or have no transportation to get to the doctor. It’s really important to enable them to receive care in their communities!”
According to Suschana, what is special about UST is the program’s partnership with community members and organizations. The goal is to find out what the community really wants and to develop programs accordingly: “The community knows what it wants and needs, and UST offers truly personalized care for the community.”
Associate Dean for Primary Care Dr. Anton Alerte sees “the work at these community health fairs as an extension and synthesis of all the hard work these students put into their classroom sessions. There they learn not only about the biology of health, but also the societal influences that affect that health. Through community-based, experiential training, the Urban Health Scholars use that knowledge as a tool to meet the needs of their community. I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts,” says Alerte.
According to Suchana, there is a misconception that underserved communities do not value their health. However, she emphasizes that while they do value their health, they often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare. “UConn and its students are the bridge that connects them to the health resources and social services they need right from within their community.”
In addition to being an Urban Scholar, Suschana is a student and athlete. She played Division 1 lacrosse at the University of New Hampshire. She then stepped up her game and moved to England to pursue her Masters in Clinical Nutrition at the University of Nottingham. After that, she decided to return to her home state to begin medical school at UConn and be close to her family.
“I joined the UConn Medical School and CT AHEC Urban Scholar family. A family is a perfect description of what UConn is. I have met many mentors and friends who are very passionate about medicine, education and community service outside the walls of our medical school,” says Suschana.
What’s next for this urban scholar and future MD?
“It’s crazy that I’ll be graduating from medical school in May as a new doctor at UConn,” she says.
Suschana also remembers a special encounter with a young mother during a health fair. She wanted to take advantage of the free health check-ups offered, but had to juggle her two children.
“I took her to her checkups with a fellow student and offered to watch and play with her children so she could spend a few minutes focusing on herself and her health,” says Suschana. “A few minutes that could be truly life-changing if she was at high risk for a condition like heart disease or diabetes. This community interaction is a powerful reminder of the social barriers that actually exist for women when seeking healthcare. We really need to address these issues!”
These experiences in community health care and her medical school training have inspired Lizzie to soon apply for a residency program in gynecology and obstetrics.
“The field of gynecology and obstetrics can be the most beautiful in the world, but it can also be complicated or heartbreaking. I want to help women and be a strong force advocating for them and their health needs,” she emphasizes.
“I would 100 percent recommend UST to prospective medical students and other health professions students at UConn. It is a unique program and experience to learn from other health professions students and gain experience in caring for underserved communities. It is so important to improve care for underserved populations and learn to be a good patient care provider for everyone, no matter where they live.”
Suschana sums it up: “It is an incomparable experience!”
We can’t wait to see what the future Dr. Suschana does next along with her fellow UConn Urban Scholars. Thank you for your community service and partnership!
about the program
TThe Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars Program is designed to produce a cadre of well-qualified health professionals through preventive and primary care in Connecticut’s underserved urban communities. As Urban Health/AHEC Scholars, participants represent a select group of students enrolled in the UConn Schools of Pharmacy, Nursing, Medicine, Dental Medicine, Social Work, and the Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant Program.
A total of 60 Urban Health/AHEC fellows, eight to twenty students per school, are selected each year from qualified applicants with a demonstrated commitment to service. They gain valuable insight into the complex and challenging issues facing inner-city health care. A strong mentoring component supports learners in their personal and professional development.
Students develop competencies in the following areas: culture and linguistics, population health, health policy, advocacy, health financing and management, leadership, community resources, interprofessional health teams, and quality improvement.
Learn more about the program run by CT AHEC at UConn Health.
