Rachel, S Hoagburg
| Rachel, S Hoagburg |
Rachel S. Hoagburg1
Kenneth Kent2, Joan Gluch1
1Division of Community Oral Health, Preventive & Restorative Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, 2Preventive & Restorative Sciences, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
Description
Philly Phaces is an organization at Penn Dental Medicine focused on helping patients with facial differences through education and advocacy. The organization is dedicated to helping students in their career development as well as personal fulfillment by connecting them with an incredible community.
Project Overview
Philly Phaces is a Philadelphia based organization committed to empowering children, adults, and families facing appearance differences through structured peer support, advocacy, and resources. The group includes families who are being cared for in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Philly Phaces is a community focused on building lifelong friendships and fostering relations between the public and healthcare professionals. Penn Dental students started a Philly Phaces club within the dental school five years ago. The goal of the Penn Dental chapter is to educate dental students on caring for patients with facial differences and to advocate for these patients and their need to be represented in medical and dental care decisions and policies. We work to connect the parent organization with the student organization so students can meet the families and learn firsthand how our profession can impact their lives.
Outcome
Penn Dental students and faculty are able to learn more about interdisciplinary craniofacial care for patients through the connection the two organizations have formed. They also have the chance to meet families firsthand who have received treatment and learn more about how healthcare professionals influence their lives. As students and faculty participating, connecting with Philly Phaces lets the families know how much we support them and advocate for their care in our fields. It gives families the opportunity to interact with healthcare providers outside of appointment times and foster relationships that will advance craniofacial care in future.