By De’Mon Burse Wilburn, Youth Advisory Council Member at West High School SBHC The following reflects De’Mon’s lived experiences, thoughts, and opinions. De’Mon Burse Wilborn, a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) member at Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s West High School SBHC (Columbus City Schools), wrote the following poem calling attention to the importance of combatting food insecurity. … Read more
The School-Based Health Center of Fort Smith Public Schools (FSPS), located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, opened in July 2021. Since that time, they have developed a thriving Youth Leadership Advisory Council (YLAC). YLAC is made up of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who attend Darby Middle School, the campus on which the FSPS School-Based Health … Read more
The following is an article featured on NPR’s Health News. “Of all the things she could have done on her summer vacation, Bithaniya Fieseha, a senior at West Springfield High School in Fairfax County, Va., decided to study chronic disease, mental health and contact tracing. Some of her friends didn’t understand the appeal. ‘I feel … Read more
The following is featured on the Center for Health Care Strategies resource page. “Though children and adolescents are at the center of pediatrics as the recipients of care, their voices are often missing from conversations about how to transform the field to better meet their needs and support their lifelong health. Inviting youth to the … Read more
By: Chris Oshana, former Youth Advisory Council Member Chris Oshana is a senior at the University of Michigan studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, with a minor in Social Class and Inequality Studies. He hopes to inspire other youth to advocate for themselves in all aspects of their lives. For the past three and a half years of … Read more
Description: In May of 2020, SBHA’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) started a youth listening and learning series entitled “Youth Have Thoughts Too” (YHTT). Since then, they have hosted five sessions focused on various topics, including COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter movement, mental health, and vaccinations. Youth-based and youth-led discussions are a powerful way to connect with … Read more
Chris Oshana is a sophomore at the University of Michigan studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. He hopes to inspire other youth to advocate for themselves in all aspects of their lives. As an adolescent, I never really knew how to advocate for myself in a health care setting. Growing up, my parents—who emigrated from Iraq to … Read more
By Audrey Gabriel, Youth Advisory Council member on March 12, 2020 Audrey is a first-generation student and activist for immigrants and people of color. She champions health care as a human right and works to bridge the health inequity gap towards social justice and well-being of all youth. Being a young adult presents many different health issues that people younger and … Read more
By Andre Armour, Youth Advisory Council member on March 26, 2020 Andre is a young advocate seeking peace and proper justice for his community. He believes that his purpose in life is to serve others in whatever capacity is needed. “Garlic, basil, and lemon juice mixed with a little green tea can cure anything,” my parents said. According to them, this … Read more
Posted on June 11, 2015 Preparations have been underway for several months to provide an engaging program for youth at this year’s National School-Based Health Care Convention. Austin, Texas, will provide a fun and energetic backdrop to a busy week. The Youth Program will open with a Champions Dinner on Tuesday evening, June 16, at Cedar … Read more
