Haug named Outstanding Student Leader

Congratulations to second-year medical student Jackson Haug, who was recognized by UND this week as a Lillian Elsinga Outstanding Student Leader for his role in the UND Department of Geriatrics-sponsored Health Promotion Program, a service learning initiative developed with the Grand Forks Housing Authority.

“This was an incredible opportunity to get to know a population from the perspective of a student doctor, where I could see how the external factors in a person’s life influence their health and, importantly, their access to healthcare,” said Haug. “What began as a program to speak with people about their health turned into a club focused on strengthening a community through health-based activities and games, which had a surprising effect on the trust built among students and residents alike, and enabled more meaningful discussion and effective solutions to the many problems they faced.”

In partnership with Grand Forks Housing and other entities such as the Blue Zones Project, Haug and his collaborators developed a series of activities for areas residents designed to help them lead healthier lives. Activities to date have included one-on-one dialogues about health to group events like “Healthy Bingo” or “Food as Medicine.”

“I was drawn to the Health Promotions Program because it allowed me, as a preclinical med student, to get into the community and talk to residents of Grand Forks before ever seeing patients in a clinic,” Haug continued. “It is my hope that as the program continues, the trust between students and residents will deepen, and the resulting health habits, stronger community ties, and improved access to healthcare will lead to happier, healthier, and longer lives.”

Department of Geriatrics chair Dr. Don Jurivich agreed.

“Feedback from resident participants has been highly appreciative and serves as an indicator of how UND SMHS serves the people of North Dakota,” Jurivich said. “The success of the program has been recognized by the Grand Forks mayor and Director of city’s housing authority. Its success promises expansion into rural and tribal communities, linking student commitments to helping others live healthy lifespans.”