University of Southern Maine

Partnerships
Sagamore Health Clinic

Faculty:
Helen Peake-Godin, MN, RN

Women's Health Practitioner
Peggy Akers, FNP

The College of Nursing and Health Professions (CONHP) has had a collaborative partnership with the residents of Sagamore Village since 1991. A Portland public housing community, Sagamore Village houses approximately 500 low income residents of all ages living in 200 units. The Sagamore Health Resource Center is a community-based nurse managed clinic that provides primary care, public health, and mental health services to the residents. The Center is managed by faculty from the CONHP in collaboration with the residents, Portland Housing Authority, and Maine Medical Center. Students work with residents of varied ages, cultural backgrounds, and states of health. Students have opportunities to advocate for residents with other providers, such as physicians, home care and public health nurses, and social agency staff. In partnership with Sagamore residents, students assess community needs and develop community-based interventions. Over the past several years, the CONHP has developed a partnership of mutual trust and respect with the people of Sagamore Village.

Goals

• To increase primary health care and community-based services
• To provide clinical experiences for students, focusing on a culturally diverse and vulnerable population.

Student Learning Activities

• Assessment and screening, case management, education, referral and consultation, group project work
• A Nursing Student previously assigned to the Sagamore Partnership wrote the following summary of her experiences there and addressed it to other students, who may be considering Sagamore as their partnership. This summary provides an overview of the experience.

Collaborative Partners

• Tenants Council
• Residents
• Portland School
• Nurses
• Portland Public Health
• Maine Medical Center
• Community Health Services
• Portland Housing Authority

For questions or comments, please contact us.

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