Patient Advocacy Student Group: Helping Patients Navigate Their Healthcare

The U.S. Healthcare System, especially at a major hospital, is challenging to navigate. The Patient Advocacy Student Group at UC Berkeley is here to help. Our program recruits and trains UC Berkeley undergraduates to be healthcare navigators, scribes, and health coaches for UCSF Medical Center and its patients, especially populations that face additional barriers to an accessible healthcare experience.

Our program is important because we not only provide cost-free support to patients in-need through a variety of departments and programs, but also cultivate future healthcare professionals and develop their competencies in health navigation, patient care, and digital healthcare management systems.

UC Berkeley undergrads are badged as UCSF interns and integrated into the healthcare system as affiliate employees. This is one of the only universities in the U.S. that affords this opportunity to their undergraduates. Students really take advantage of this amazing experience and enjoy interacting with patients. Here are some testimonials:

“This apprenticeship has been the highlight of my time at Berkeley. It has given me a chance to help patients in difficult medical situations, and as a pre-health undergraduate, this is important to me.”

“It is a great opportunity to get clinical experience and work with like-minded people who care about creating a change in health care.”

“We have a great deal of autonomy when working with patients, and it is also a rewarding experience because the patients really do appreciate the service that we give them.”

Additionally, our budget breakdown is as follows: 

Supplies: $300

Clearance: $1300

Other Supplies/Events: $400

Contact Info:

Christine Wan - christineqw@berkeley.edu

Isha Pema - ipema@berkeley.edu 

Sana Desai - sana.desai@berkeley.edu

Saffy Sumra - saffy24@berkeley.edu