A Participant Navigator’s Role at the Frazier Family Coalition for Stroke Education and Prevention

Hello! My name is Ann Sunny and I am honored to serve as a Participant Navigator with the Frazier Family Coalition for Stroke Education and Prevention, in partnership with Jefferson Health and Temple Health. Born in India and raised primarily in Augusta, Georgia, I discovered this role through the National Health Corps in Philadelphia while taking a couple gap years to gain hands on-experience in public health before my journey to medical school.

The Frazier Family Coalition serves as a community center that addresses healthy equity challenges in North Philadelphia, addressing critical disparities that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. We strive to empower individuals through a combination of community driven educational workshops and physician training sessions, fostering both knowledge and action against stroke and limb loss which occur with alarmingly high frequency in the neighborhoods we serve.

As a Participant Navigator, my role is multifaceted, I work closely with instructors to help manage the chronic disease self-management programs we offer, ensuring that each session is accessible and informative. Additionally, I am responsible for managing patient referrals, organizing health education materials, expanding community outreach through our social media engagement, and overseeing the collection and analysis of data related to our programs. Beyond these core responsibilities, I also have the opportunity to bring my own creative inputs into our educational efforts by integrating nutrition and art, making health education more interactive with our participants

The educational programs that I work with directly include the Pre-Diabetes Prevention Program, Stress Management Series, Hypertension Self-Management Education and Support Program, and Medication Management Series. Not only do I provide logistical and administrative support, but I also am co-facilitating classes, managing virtual learning operations, tracking attendance, and incorporating innovative art therapy techniques to enhance participant engagement and overall well-being.

 Frazier also works with Temple Health students to facilitate Physical Therapy and Nutrition Group classes, ensuring a holistic approach to community wellness. I work alongside Temple’s physical therapy and nutrition students, assisting in program coordination to streamline sessions and optimize participant experiences. Our largest initiative within our coalition is the bi-monthly Lunch and Learn Workshops, where we prepare large, nourishing, and well-balanced meals for 25-35 of our community members. These workshops have hands-on culinary demonstrations with engaging nutrition education and interactive activities in a very welcoming environment to bring together many members of the community.

Beyond education and lifestyle programs, the Frazier Family Coalition also prioritizes the early detection and prevention of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in high risk communities of color across Philadelphia. Through accessible circulation screenings conducted both on-site and in local barbershops, we bring life-saving healthcare services directly into the community. My role is guiding participants through the screening process and contributing to the collection, organization, and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data.

My time with the Frazier Family Coalition has been an enriching experience, reinforcing my passion for public health and community-based healthcare. Working alongside a dedicated team, I have found a supportive environment that values innovation and allowed me to contribute meaningfully to stroke prevention and chronic disease management. The role has broadened my perspective on healthcare disparities and strengthened my commitment to bridging the gaps through preventive care and education.