The Duquesne University Center for Integrative Health (DUCIH) is committed to improving the health and wellness of our campus and neighboring communities through interdisciplinary practice, teaching and research. We provide chronic disease prevention and management programs from pediatrics through adulthood; and our students are trained in an interdisciplinary teaching, research and service model. The employee and student clinic is a provider of disease prevention and management services for the Duquesne University campus community. Community Health Initiatives include several community-based health programs, in collaboration with a diverse group of community partners, to meet residents where they are, decrease disease disparity, and promote health equity in Pittsburgh and surrounding communities. DUCIH programs focus on problems that have a high cost, high burden and significant racial disparity.
The DUCIH supports meaningful engagement with patients, communities and stakeholders to facilitate research that not only will improve health outcomes but the overall health care system.
Mission
The mission of the Center for Integrative Healthcare is to train the next generation of practitioners who will address rural and urban health care disparities and thereby improve health equity in the Pittsburgh region and beyond.
Goals
- Establish and sustain Duquesne University as a nationally recognized model for integrative health and community-based care
- Provide opportunities for interdisciplinary practice, teaching and research engagements
- Engage students in population health and community-based teaching and research experiences to promote health equity in our region
Featured Programs
Asthma Care
Free Asthma Care available at the following eligible locations: Clairton City School District, Propel Hazelwood, South Allegheny Elementary, Woodland Hills Edgewood Elementary, Woodland Hills Wilkins Elementary
Bridges To Health (B2H)
Bridges to Health (B2H) is a sustainable, multi-sector partnership that proposes a trauma-informed, community-driven, and community-based approach to implement local solutions that address community-identified health priorities. The B2H program bridges clinical and social determinants of health, outside of the traditional healthcare system, to create a pathway to health for everyone. Health priorities targeted include COVID-19, chronic disease prevention/management (cardiovascular disease, diabetes and asthma), social determinants of health, mental health and substance use disorder, maternal child health and more. Current partners include Clairton City School District, Clairton Cares, Squirrel Hill Health Center, Propel Schools Hazelwood, Center of Life, Primary Care Health Services (PCHS), Pittsburgh Public Schools and Northside Christian Health Center.
Chronic Disease Prevention & Management Program
Duquesne University Center for Integrative Health offers free community based chronic disease prevention and management programs to eligible residents of priority neighborhoods. Programs include the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP), Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure, and Diabetes Self-Management, Education & Support.
R.E.A.C.H.
The Duquesne University Center for Integrative Health, in collaboration with the Allegheny County Health Department and a diverse coalition of community partners, are working to increase access to healthy foods, physical activity and connections to clinical care. The CDC-funded R.E.A.C.H. program aims to achieve health equity and prevent chronic diseases in the East End (East Hills, Garfield, Homewood, Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar, Wilkinsburg), Hill District, Mon Valley (Clairton, North Versailles, Duquesne, McKeesport, North Braddock, Rankin) and the Northside.
Prescription (Rx) For Change
A multi-sector, community-based approach to chronic disease prevention and management in underserved African American/Black communities. Services include cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk screenings, pharmacist-led medication therapy management (MTM) and evidence-based chronic disease prevention programs will be coupled with increased access to healthy foods (Food Bucks Rx) and support for physical activity. Communities served include Hazelwood & Clairton.
Asthma Home Visiting Program Collaboration with Community Health Workers (CHWs) and the Allegheny County Health
Department (ACHD) Healthy Homes Program to provide in-home asthma education, serve
as a liaison for those enrolled in our clinics, provide care coordination and work
with families on goal setting to reduce asthma triggers. CDC Asthma Control Program CDC's National Asthma Control Program (NACP) was created in 1999 and funds health
departments in 24 states to ensure availability and access to guideline-based medical
management and pharmacotherapy for all people with asthma to address the intersection
of public health and health care. It funds state programs and national organizations,
promotes asthma quality measures and informs policy makers about the burden of asthma.
DUCIH is contracted through the Pennsylvania Department of Health to work on four
of the six EXHALE strategies: Asthma & Food Allergy Awareness Interactive educational programming for children and their caregivers at school gatherings,
scheduled lecture series for caregivers/school personnel, and interactive classroom
sessions for children focusing on food allergy, asthma awareness and healthy living. Collaboration with several school districts and the Federally Qualified Health Centers
(FQHCs) in each neighborhood to provide comprehensive, asthma care in the school and
community setting, including diagnosis, pharmacologic and non-pharmacological management,
education and coordination of care. Current Provider Partners: The Center for Integrative Health works with various community partners to implement
community-based vaccine clinics in locations accessible to all residents (churches,
schools, community gathering spaces, public housing units). Overdose To Action (OD2A) Collaboration with the Allegheny County Health Department and community partners in
Allegheny County to address opioid-related morbidity and mortality in Allegheny County.
Activities include expanding existing surveillance efforts by obtaining new data and
expanding prevention efforts by health systems and insurers, improving linkages to
care for residents with opioid use disorder, building new diversion programs with
law enforcement and launching a harm reduction communications campaign. Duquesne CIH
is contracted to work on two strategies, strategy 6 (establishing linkages to care)
and strategy 9 (empowering individuals to make safer choices). Smoking Cessation DUCIH has a contract through the Pennsylvania Department of Health to provide smoking
cessation classes and support throughout Allegheny County. DUCIH offers in-person
and virtual programs. Health & Wellness Sports Camps Partnership with Duquesne University Department of Athletics to provide day camps
for schools and community organizations consisting of hands on health education and
sports instruction. DUCIH has partnerships with several FQHCs throughout Allegheny County, providing teaching,
research and service opportunities DUCIH has a partnership with the Housing Authority Of The City Of Pittsburgh (HACP)
to provide chronic disease prevention and management services at all ten senior and
five family communities throughout the City of PittsburghMore Programs
This model has consistently resulted in significant reductions in emergency room visits
and hospitalizations for children with asthma as well as significant improvements
in asthma control.
Current School & Community Partners:
Center For Integrative Health Team
Jennifer Elliott, Pharm.D.
Aiman Akshalova
Megan Donnarumma
Brittani Namey, MSN, CRNP
Julianne Oplinger, Pharm.D.
Lisa Ripper, MPH, CPH
Shannon Shaffer, MSW
Vanessa Vought, M.Ed.
Partnerships & Funding
Current FQHC Partners:
Healthcare Compliance
Duquesne University takes Healthcare Compliance very seriously. The University abides by all Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances. If you would like to discuss a healthcare compliance, includes HIPAA, complaint, please contact the Duquesne University Chairperson of Healthcare Compliance at (412) 396-4419 or mail a letter to:
Duquesne University
Office of HIPAA and Healthcare Compliance
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
You may also hand deliver a note to Room 436 in Fisher Hall. All will be kept strictly confidential.
