Alison Ercole

All throughout high school I volunteered on medical trips abroad in Honduras. Then, while completing my BSN, I was able to take Penn’s Comparing Health Care Systems in an Intercultural Context course with a study abroad experience in India. At the time the fellowship was posted, I was working as an NP and even though I had experience and interest in global health, my day-to-day work did not entail it. When I saw this as an opportunity, I went for it.

The fellowship was a perfect fit because The Banyan serves women with mental health issues, and I am a Psychiatric-Mental Health NP. The Banyan wanted help incorporating nursing care into their curriculum and I was already teaching at Penn. I thought it was the right match because I was able to combine the NGOs two needs with my expertise. I was anxious when I first applied because I didn’t think I had enough global health background, but I think the fellowship Is designed to help those who have an interest but may be less experienced.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect because this was the first global health fellowship Penn offered. I went in just being open to the experience and went with the flow. It exceeded my expectations because of the relationships I created and that are now maintained.

I hope I made an impact- they seemed very open to the curriculum we created. I was able to go back to visit and complete more train the trainer sessions one year later. I’m still in contact with my host organization and it’s a great feeling to know we’ve fostered a lasting relationship.

Personally, I think it helped me get out of the mundane, everyday life experience. Professionally, I think it helped launch me into the second part of my career and am now pursing my PhD with a long-term goal of working in global health.

https://thebanyan.wordpress.com/2018/03/22/upenn-nursing-fellows-time-at-the-banyan/?fbclid=IwAR2QbI3w5ZrVizHPGgNpL0K-38AvR1Q25ezwxUJUcjqYN9YgJp99kU17Qcs

At the end of my time there, they hosted a dinner for me. I was able to bring any guests I wanted. I invited the case managers and community mental health volunteers- they were pleasantly surprised because they didn’t realize how integral they were to my experience and creation of the curriculum.

I was able to meet their goal of incorporating nursing care into their curriculum for community mental health workers in such a short time. But it was also the feedback that they felt I fit right into their community that brought me pride.