AmeriCorps

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Applications for the next Zufall Health AmeriCorps service year will open in January 2025.

Zufall Health AmeriCorps is a volunteer service program supporting our mission to provide access to care for vulnerable populations in New Jersey.

The program is part of the AmeriCorps federal agency that engages over 80,000 members annually in intensive service projects at civic, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations across the U.S.  Since 2013, Zufall Health AmeriCorps has graduated more than 80 volunteers who have made significant impacts in our community in preparation for careers in medicine, dentistry, social work, public health, and community health.

MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

Public Health AmeriCorps is an AmeriCorps program that promotes expansion of the public health workforce, health equity, and access to services for underserved populations. Based at Zufall’s Dover, Morristown, Plainsboro, and Somerville locations, members will:

  • Commit to an 11-month service term
  • Perform outreach and health education for a range of initiatives, including chronic disease management, healthy eating, exercise, vaccinations, retinopathy eye screenings, dental services for veterans, and insurance enrollment
  • Gain hands-on experience serving with providers, staff, patients, and community members

BENEFITS OF SERVICE

Beyond invaluable career and life experience, members receive:

  • Living allowance ($18,700 for 2024-2025 full-time members)
  • Segal Educational Award upon completion of service
  • Health insurance for qualifying members
  • Student loan forbearance
  • Mileage reimbursement
  • Childcare for qualifying members
  • Professional development and training/certification opportunities

2025-2026 SERVICE YEAR TIMELINE

Applications Open

January 6, 2025

Applications Close

August 30, 2025

Service Year Begins

September 2, 2025

Service Year Ends

August 3, 2026

WHAT OUR MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY

I was most inspired by the stories the diabetic patients told me. Sometimes a patient would want to talk about their health journey, their achievements, and their struggles. Zufall Health AmeriCorps gave me the real life—and not just textbook—experience for working in public health.

Carly Latta, Class of 2023

My service year at Zufall Health was beneficial for making connections and learning how a health center operates. And working closely with a doctor helped me preview life after medical school.

Thomas DeRoche, Class of 2023

“I made oral health education accessible and helped kids and their families understand the connection between oral health and overall health. Plus, my exposure to dental residents will be helpful as I continue on journey toward dental school.”

Melissa Toro, Class of 2023

“I learned how patient-centered care promotes better health outcomes. Patient-centered care prioritizes an individual’s preferences and values and can reduce barriers to care. I had the opportunity to practice patient-centered care leading weekly health education sessions with senior residents of public housing. In turn, I learned a lot about the physical and mental barriers affecting senior populations.”

Katelyn Kostakis, Class of 2022

“During my term, I looked forward to interacting with people in the community. Their appreciation for Zufall Health’s motivated me to serve each day.  I hope to attend medical school and work for a community health center, now that I have furthered my understanding of the challenges impacting underserved communities like Zufall’s.”

Arjun Sharma, Class of 2022

“During my senior year of college, I learned more about the barriers to health care that plague specific communities and wanted to help combat them. My AmeriCorps project, focused on providing culturally competent prenatal care to patients in Essex County, New Jersey, regardless of insurance status, felt like a perfect fit for my motivation to expand access for underserved patients.”

Ciarosalie Pierre-Kernizan, Class of 2022

“One of the most valuable skills I learned was building the emotional grit necessary to not only remain compassionate with my patients, but still work effectively. Maintaining this emotional balance will be key in my own journey to be a physician and I think it is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in pursuing the medical field.”

Natasha Soesanto, Class of 2022

“My service changed how I think about the medical field. My prior experience was limited to large hospital systems, so it was eye-opening to help health care function on a local, intimate level. I made a personal impact, and I hope to carry these meaningful experiences forward on my journey to become a physician.”

Shruthi Santhanakrishnan, Class of 2022

REQUIREMENTS

  • 17 years of age or older
  • High school graduate
  • U.S citizen, U.S national or lawful permanent resident

AMERICORPS ALUMNI

Meet our past members here.

FOR QUESTIONS, CONTACT:

Jenniffer Amaya 
AmeriCorps Program Manager 
973-328-3344 Ext. 1613 
jamaya@zufallhealth.org