Esprit de Corps – Not Simply a Bonding Experience

One component of the National Health Corps service term is the development of Esprit de Corps among members. A less direct translation comes from the French expression meaning “group spirit,” or the idea that we as members have pride in our common goal and establish relationships with one another. When we first explored this concept, I have to admit I was not thrilled about the touchy-feely, team bonding aspect I associated with the term. With that being said, beyond the incredible friendships that have already been made (even in the first month of service!), Esprit de Corps is something that stretches past the heart-to-heart moments and plays a role in the most fundamental part of this organization: more effectively serving the health needs of the community. This fellowship concept truly allows health corps members to more effectively serve community members at our respective host sites. 

As we learned in training, Public Health is a collaborative field itself. In my position at the Allegheny County Health Department, I see this collaboration in action every day. For instance, based upon the data collected and disseminated by the Epidemiology Bureau, physical inactivity and poor nutrition are two leading factors to the high rates of obesity in the county. From these trends in health behaviors, the Chronic Disease Prevention Bureau has been able to develop programs to combat these health issues and in 2014, the health department launched the Live Well Allegheny health campaign. This wellness campaign is a collaborative effort by the health department, schools, and other community organizations to emphasize the need for more physical activity, healthier diets, and disease management.

In alignment with this campaign, my main responsibility this year is to pilot test a Live Well Allegheny Teen Corps. The students will have the opportunity to develop and launch their own health campaign to their peers as well as community.  The curriculum surrounding health topics will be in large part dictated by the students as they are the experts in their community.

So how does Esprit de Corps apply to not only the public health field, but to the Pittsburgh Health Corps? In my position, I can utilize the expertise of my fellow corps members to better educate the group of students on health topics. If obesity is an area of concern among students, I may enlist the help of Liz Gore and Maddie Monahan to talk about healthy eating on a budget or Amy Xie to discuss health outcomes of diabetes. If access to healthcare is a main concern, I may ask Mike Benton to share with students his service with the Pittsburgh Mercy Family Health Center mobile medical unit or Gabbie Nortey to discuss her experience as a Patients Benefits Eligibility Counselor at East Liberty Health Center. All of these examples would help equip the Live Well Allegheny Teen Corps to create a successful campaign. Similarly to the collaborative spirit of public health, National Health Corps members have the opportunity to rely on the expertise of fellow members in the completion of their individual tasks. Esprit de Corps does not simply mean a bonding experience with other members, it means creating a network of resources to better serve the health needs of the community. I cannot wait to see what we can accomplish for Allegheny County in our service year!