Operation House Call, The Arc’s health equity program, continued to grow in 2024.
This year, OHC parent instructors taught 32 classes and reached over 1,200 students in Massachusetts across medical schools and graduate schools of nursing and allied health professionals. We expanded our program at Harvard Medical School to reach the full class of second year medical students and dental students, and we reached students at Lahey for the first time through our program with UMass Chan Medical School. In addition, OHC ran two new pilot programs: one with the residency program at Boston Medical Center and one with the Northeastern University Bouve College of Health Sciences.
The impact of teaching based on the lived experience of families and individuals with IDD and autism is so clear. As one student noted:
“Meeting with [my host family] has been a profoundly enlightening experience that has deepened my understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by individuals with ASD. By incorporating the insights gained from this experience into my practice, I am confident that I will be better equipped to provide compassionate, person-centered care for patients with diverse needs. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from (this) family, and I am committed to applying this knowledge to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals with ASD and their families.”
We’re excited about the year ahead, deepening our collaboration with partner schools, launching a certification process for OHC schools in partnership with the Department of Public Health, and continuing to pilot new elements of our curriculum.
Interested in joining our family network? Fill out our interest form or contact Ashley Waring, OHC’s Family Engagement Director, at awaring@arcmass.org.
