Personal Patient Navigators (PPNs)

Since its inception in 2020, the Center for Surgical Health has relied on a team of dedicated volunteer Personal Patient Navigators (PPNs) to help underserved and undersupported patients access surgical care.

When patients are referred to CSH, they are paired with a volunteer who functions as their PPN. PPNs assist patients by:

Helping them secure financial assistance
Supplying transportation vouchers
Arranging translation services
Escorting patients to tests & appointments
Helping patients identify resources to actively participate in surgical care
Staffing our subspecialty clinics, where patients are assessed for surgical needs

Currently, our PPNs are a group of passionate medical students, graduate students, and post-baccalaureate students from across the University of Pennsylvania campus.

About our PPNs

Reasons our PPNs joined CSH

31 individuals surveyed

Subspecialty where PPNs volunteer

15 PPNs surveyed

PPN desire for community service in career

31 individuals surveyed

What our PPNs say about CSH

"Working as a PPN has been the most rewarding part of medical school so far. I have been able to form a close relationship with the patient I PPN for and I am absolutely honored that I have been able to be a part of this person's experience in the hospital. I have gotten to know my patient's family and their story, and I am so, so grateful that CSH gave me the opportunity to be there for this patient during a very challenging time for them."