PHC alum Ashley Steed: The Life after the Pittsburgh Health Corps

How has your experience with the Pittsburgh Health Corps helped you gain your current job position?

My service year with the Pittsburgh Health Corps, specifically my host site the National MS Society (NMSS), has allowed me to grow professionally and personally. As part of my first project at the NMSS, I created a PowerPoint about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to share with MS patients, which was a challenging task at the time because parts of the law were still changing.

Looking back, I truly believe that the knowledge I gained about the ACA through my first research project at the NMSS helped me get my current position as an In-Person Assister for the ACA in West Virginia. My duties are to educate clients about the ACA and assist them with the enrollment process. As a result, I am increasing access to health care for underserved communities, a task I am familiar and comfortable with due to my experience serving underserved populations at the NMSS.

Also, at the NMSS, I had the opportunity to refine my skills of building relationships and remaining calm during crisis situations, both of which have helped me daily at my current job when assisting clients of various backgrounds and life circumstances. Joining the Pittsburgh Health Corps has been one of my best decisions yet!