Community Outreach at Healthy Start Coalition of Osceola County

Authors

• Ben John, University of Central FloridaFollow

Streaming Media

Files

Course Code

HSC

Course Number

4943

Faculty/Instructor

Dr. Erin Rolle

Faculty/Instructor Email

Erin.Rolle@ucf.edu

About the Author

My name is Ben John, I am a graduating senior at UCF pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences (Pre-clinical track). I plan on applying to medical school in the upcoming cycle!

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

The Healthy Start Coalition of Osceola County (HSCOC) is a state and federally funded non-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care to mothers and families. This abstract details a professional internship focused on enhancing community outreach and systemic efficiency. HSCOC manages diverse programs, including care coordination, home visiting, risk screening, and Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR), working closely with regional OBGYN providers to identify and support at-risk participants through evidence-based interventions.

A central component of this internship involved addressing a critical gap in the local system of care: the tendency for uninsured pregnant women to utilize Emergency Departments (EDs) for primary health concerns. To mitigate this issue, an initiative was spearheaded to implement formal, automated referrals within ED discharge paperwork. By instructing clinicians to utilize electronic health record (EHR) search functions for "Healthy Start" in the follow-up section, the program ensures an immediate connection to a support system that provides both medical guidance and essential physical supplies like formula and cribs. To scale this impact, strategic outreach to ED medical directors at major institutions, such as AdventHealth, is recommended to institutionalize these follow-up protocols.

Aligned with the course "Leadership and Professionalism in Healthcare" (HSC 4943), the experience involved data-driven process improvements and observation of executive organizational leadership. The internship provided profound insights into the socioeconomic barriers facing diverse demographics, reinforcing a commitment to equitable healthcare. Ultimately, the project demonstrated that bridging the gap between existing public resources and vulnerable populations is essential for improving community health outcomes and informing a more compassionate future medical practice.

Keywords

Healthy Start, Pregnancy, OBGYN, Infant, Family, Children

Recommended Citation

John, Ben, "Community Outreach at Healthy Start Coalition of Osceola County" (2026). High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2026. 24.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2026spring/24