LAP pairs first-year medical students with local patients who are enduring active chronic medical conditions warranting UPMC/VA provider visits every 3-4 months. By sharing your healthcare journey, you’ll help a futurephysician develop a deeper understanding of what it’s like to live with and manage a chronic health condition while navigating the healthcare system.
We’re looking for individuals who:
- Have one or more ongoing health conditions that require regular medical visits (around 3–4 per year),
- Receive care through UPMC or VA facilities near Oakland (e.g., Shadyside, Children’s Hospital, VA H.J. Heinz Campus),
- Are open to staying in contact with a medical student over a 4-year period,
- Have a reliable way to communicate (phone, email, or caregiver assistance),
- Are comfortable inviting the student to attend one or more medical appointments, and
- Are willing to share healthcare experiences.
Students are asked to have 6 meaningful patient encounters within the first 15 months of their education.
These can occur via phone, Teams or zoom call(s) or in person. After that, they are expected to meet with
their patient 4 times each year until graduation.
If you are interested in learning more OR have been referred by your physician and want to enroll in LAP, please see "Prospective Patients & Families" section below for applicable links.
Prospective Patients & Families
- Consent Form - For new patients interested in enrolling in LAP
- Patient Partner Interest Form - For new patients and families wanting to learn more about LAP
- Patient Partner Feedback Form - For current patients looking to provide feedback
Students
- Program Objectives - Learn more about what YOU can gain from this program
Facilitators & Providers
- Facilitator Interest Form - For physicians who are new to the program and want to learn more about getting involved!
- Facilitator Resources - Information for current facilitators can be accessed in the LAP Course page in Elentra.
Contact Information
|
Director Lisa Podgurski, MD, MS, FAAHPM |
|
Assistant Director Beth Oczypok, MD, PhD |
|
Program Coordinator Karen Marcinko |