 PACDC Blue Ribbon Award Win
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Called to Serve CDC Jasmine Childress [email protected] 856-472-1097 Called to Serve CDC Wins PACDC Blue Ribbon Award for the Rev. Leon H. Sullivan Community Impact Center Recognition highlights the organization’s transformational work to advance health, wealth, and community wellbeing in Nicetown-Tioga PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 02, 2026 Called to Serve CDC has been named a winner of the PACDC Blue Ribbon Award for the Rev. Leon H. Sullivan Community Impact Center, a landmark community development project that will transform the historic Zion Baptist Church Annex into a hub for health, education, workforce development, arts, culture, and community services in North Philadelphia. The PACDC Blue Ribbon Awards recognize outstanding achievement by community development corporations advancing an equitable Philadelphia where every resident can live, work, and thrive in a neighborhood that offers an excellent quality of life. Winners are recognized for excellence in innovation, impact, leadership, and advancing equity. Located at Broad and Venango Streets in the heart of Nicetown-Tioga, the Rev. Leon H. Sullivan Community Impact Center will renovate the 100 plus year old Zion Baptist Church Annex and extend the legacy of Rev. Leon H. Sullivan, the civil rights leader, pastor, and economic justice advocate whose work helped shape pathways for community empowerment in Philadelphia and beyond. “This recognition is deeply meaningful because it affirms what our community has known from the beginning: the Sullivan Community Impact Center is more than a building. It is a commitment to honoring Rev. Sullivan’s legacy by creating real access to health, opportunity, culture, and community care in Nicetown-Tioga,” said Rev. Mike Major, Executive Director of Called to Serve CDC. “We are grateful to PACDC for recognizing the vision behind this project and the many partners helping bring it to life.” The Sullivan Community Impact Center is designed as a holistic, resident driven hub that brings together programs focused on health, wealth, and community wellbeing. Planned programming includes community health services through a partnership with Temple Health, a game development workforce and incubation ecosystem through the PHL Gaming Program, and arts, cultural, café, bookstore, performance, and gathering spaces for public use. The project is currently under construction and represents an $20 million capital investment in Nicetown-Tioga. Called to Serve CDC’s broader work includes revitalization of the Broad, Germantown, and Erie commercial corridor, support for small businesses, the PHL Taking Care of Business Clean Corridors Program, and youth development initiatives, including literacy programming that has contributed to a 42% increase in reading proficiency for K through 2 students at Kenderton Elementary. The project also reflects an innovative approach to reactivating sacred spaces for civic and community use. It builds on earlier work through Sacred Places/Civic Spaces, an initiative of the Community Design Collaborative and Partners for Sacred Places, which explored how historic religious properties can support civic engagement, social cohesion, and neighborhood equity. The Sullivan Community Impact Center advances equity by addressing systemic disparities in a predominantly low to moderate income Black community. The Center will expand access to primary care, create pathways into high wage digital and creative technology careers, support local and minority owned businesses, and offer community centered spaces for arts, healing, gathering, and connection. The project team includes Mosaic Development Partners JV, a Philadelphia headquartered real estate development firm, as development consultant and project management firm; Camfred Construction, a Philadelphia based Certified Minority Business Enterprise, as general contractor; and Wulff Architects as architect. “This award is not the finish line. It is momentum,” said Rev. Mike Major, Pastor of Zion Baptist Church. “We invite funders, partners, and community supporters to help us complete this work and ensure the Sullivan Community Impact Center becomes a lasting resource for generations to come.” For more information about Called to Serve CDC or to support the Rev. Leon H. Sullivan Community Impact Center, visit https://www.calledtoservecdc.org/. About Called to Serve CDCCalled to Serve CDC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving as an anchor for community renewal and supporting endeavors that break intergenerational poverty, primarily in the Nicetown-Tioga neighborhood of Philadelphia. Founded on the vision to replicate the community impact of the late civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, Called to Serve CDC works to strengthen and sustain the community through commercial corridor revitalization, small business support, youth development, literacy initiatives, workforce pathways, and community centered development.
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 Ms. Price: Tyrone has overcome significant hurdles and trauma to build a new life in Nicetown-Tioga. He is resilient. He is eager to learn and expand his knowledge, and wants to master his craft in technology. Called To Serve is incredibly proud of Tyrone. His dedication to keep investing in his professional development is commendable. Tyrone: As a child, my family and I went through unimaginable hardships and constant instability. I am the youngest of five. My biological mother had an addiction problem. My sister and I spent our youth in foster care. I was six years old and she was eight. My older siblings were already in placement. Because of my anger, I was separated from my sister and shuffled between foster homes in four different counties; Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, and York, PA. At times, I struggle to talk about everything. Q. Tyrone, you shared that coming back to Philly was a difficult transition. How did you get started with Called to Serve? A. The last foster home I was placed in, God blessed me. This foster mom went beyond her professional duty. I grew to love her as a mother and still today, she loves me as her own. I lived with her from the age of twelve through eighteen. She was a strict God-fearing woman and she stood firm on, I was going to be a young man and dress like one. Every Sunday she took me to her church, Greater Zion Baptist Church in Harrisburg, PA. So, when I moved to Philly, and I found out Called To Serve was right next door inside of Zion Baptist Church, it seemed like a sign from God. I asked one of the cleaning ambassadors how could I work with them? They gave me Ms. Price number. I spoke with her several times. She challenged me, inspired me and referred me for training. She told me she would hire me if I invested in myself first and complete Mercy Neighborhood Ministries ‘Path 2 Prosperity (P2P)’, an extensive training program aimed strategically to help me reintegrate back into the community. I was hired March 28, 2025. Q What was your initial impression of Ms. Price? A: Don’t take this the wrong way, but I wasn’t raised here. In Philly, people can be off-putting or sometimes cocky, but Ms. Price was not like that. She has this soft voice that commands a quiet respect, and she has a way of hearing your concerns while making you feel included to get the job done and/or solving problems. I have never heard her raise it. She saw right through my anger, depression and my desperation for a job. She has been in my corner since day one. Not just mine but for all of my coworkers. Ms. Price will pick up the phone to talk with us, help us see how we could have made better decisions and pray with us. She always speaks to you in a way that makes you want to work. Ms. Price does not realize how much of a blessing she is.  Q: You are a "Cleaning Ambassador," but you also have a high level of technical training. Tell us about your background. A: I have never been one to sit idle. My foster mother always taught us, ‘an idle mind is the devil’s playground”. There has never been a job that I felt was beneath me to learn how to do. I have worked at an auto auction moving and parking cars, dug graves for cemeteries, became a certified welder and forklift operator. December 13, 2025, I received my OSHA 30 certification and February 14, 2026, I received my certification for Financial Literacy and Economic Empowerment. My goal is to use these certifications to get back into a management role until I achieve my real vocation and that is to work full-time in the technology field. I really love technology, and I am good at it. I am certified in CompTia ITF+, and Comp 1 and Comp 2. I am aggressively working to become certified in CompTIA Network+ and Security+. Q: How has Called To Serve help you develop professionally? Working for Called To Serve has been a game changer for me. They have caring partners who support their mission, provide training and share resources. I am a beneficiary of the generosity and training. Since May 2025, I have taken advantage of most of the free trainings and received certifications. My most recent training, I completed the six weeks of intensive OSHA 30 training and received my certification. This training program was fully funded by Councilman Jeffrey Young, reflecting his commitment to community development. Ms. Price networked on my behalf and I achieved a new career milestone. I have a full time evening position with benefits and a $5.00 per hour increase. The trainings also enhanced my soft skills significantly. I have no immediate family here in Philadelphia to love or support me. Every training program or graduation Pastor Mike and Ms. Price surprised me and attended as my family. It meant the world to me. Pastor Mike and Ms. Price have boosted my confidence professionally in so many ways. The TCB black handbook that all cleaning ambassadors received from Mayor Parker and the Commerce Department has been very instrumental with my writing skills. Just seeing the words ‘Taking Care of Business’ printed on the front cover of the notebook is powerful. Every time I walk pass my book, the title provokes internal thoughts. “What business have I not taken care of”? I wish I could get another black notebook. This period in my life is the most confident and happiest I have ever been.  Q. Looking back at the toughest times of your life, what words of wisdom would you write in a letter to your younger self? A: I would tell myself that being young, holding grudges and angry costs too much. I served five years total, and I lost so much during that time. Selling drugs is not the answer. Do not lose your dignity because you are poor. Always work harder than the next man and the man after him. Keep your self-worth, self-love, and self-respect. Do not physically fight other people’s battles at the expense of destroying your own future. Have friends that are like-minded, going to school, learning trades, and growing, not just surviving. Work hard to own your own business. Reach back and help someone. Always pray. Becky: Q: What are your primary goals you are hoping to achieve in the near future? A: I know I can not get back the time I missed out on being absence from my son’s life. More than life itself, I want to be a full time consistent and responsible daddy. I want to be financially stable to provide for him. I also want to excel proficiently in technology.  “If you are ready for change and truly want to turn your life around, Called To Serve CDC will help you,” shares Robert White.
“Pastor Mike and Ms. Price know our horrible backgrounds, yet they do not judge us; they actually advocate for us. They have given us second and third chances. They stand on ‘Your past does not define who you are.’ “They really have the patience of Job. I will never forget Ms. Price's words when she hired me: ‘You do not work for us, you are working with us.’ If you look at our daily sign-in time sheet, she has a quote on it that greets us every day: ‘If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of Heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’ Words of wisdom by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “I took that quote and ran with it,” says Robert White. Robert is a pillar for Called To Serve’s Cleaning Ambassadors, well known in the neighborhood and with our city partners for his dedicated cleaning. He is like the Everready Bunny, energized! He just keeps going and going and going. If you ask any of the Cleaning Ambassadors about Robert’s work ethic, they will say, “Robert is the best worker.” Every day, he makes sure the entire corridor is clean before he signs out. Here’s Robert’s story in his own words: I grew up in a deplorable, dirty neighborhood, laced with poverty and gang wars going on all the time. It was normal to see rodents and roaches running around in our house and on the streets. All five of us slept in the same bed. The trash in our home and people throwing their trash in our backyard became so bad that the city had to come clean it out, and we had to move out of that house. It was so embarrassing and frightening. Thank God for my grandmother! She welcomed us with open arms to live with her. Look at God and how I have come full circle with trash! Now I am keeping the neighborhood and the Broad, Germantown, and Erie commercial corridor clean. I can not stand trash or garbage on the streets. It is a painful reminder of how I grew up. I do not want any family, especially the youngins’, to live in filth and unhealthy environments as I did. It is the reason why I work so hard. I really love my job. It is my way of saying “Thank You God”. I dedicate my work unto Him every day. Robert is the eldest of his four siblings. His father abandoned him at the tender age of seven. Robert had to be the backbone for the family to help his mother. “It was a huge responsibility for me as a young teenager. I was scared. I stayed in survival mode to protect my family and myself. I was not going to let anyone bully us.” I joined the United States Navy in 1979 because I was feeling so lost in life with no discipline, structure, or role model. I wanted a better life for myself. We were so poor, and I wanted to help my family financially. I was in the heat and heart of war zones - 120 degrees weather and the belly of death. When Iraq and Iran were at war with each other, I was deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1980, and I was on the USS Voge FF-1047 to escort merchant ships and keep the sea lanes open. I worked long-hour shifts. At nighttime, it was hell looking at the oil refineries being blown up and knowing people were being killed. I was homesick, very lonely, petrified, and stressed out. This is what first led me to use drugs as a coping mechanism to deal with the everyday routine on the ship and the nightmares at night. I was sent to San Diego Miramar Air Force Base for rehab. I never had any counseling. I was left to fend for myself. I was given three meals a day and played basketball. After a month and a half staying at Miramar Air Force Base, I received orders to return to Mayport Naval Base in Jacksonville, Florida. I was too afraid to go back. Looking back, I did things I had no control over, and I am not proud of it. Several older veterans told me I should have been medically discharged for being shell-shocked and receive therapy. I was young, and I did not know how to go about applying for benefits. I served in the Navy for three and a half years. I give the utmost respect to all veterans and those in the military. Called To Serve hired Robert for the Cleaning Ambassador position in the spring of 2019. Robert lapsed twice with drug addiction. The second time, he was found unconscious from an overdose at a shelter. “The second time really scared me. I promised God, if He spared my life and helped me get my job back with Called To Serve, I would never buy any more crack or illegal drugs off the streets. I prayed, and I prayed. God gave me a miracle, and I have not looked back since.” The expression of sadness on Robert’s face, as he reminisced with empathy about how he could identify and relate to those suffering with addiction, not in their right frame of mind, living on the streets, and looking for something to eat out of trash cans. “That was me at a point in my life. It truly hurts to see the hopelessness and them living in a valley of despair. I am kind to them, and I share my life story with them to give them hope.” Robert credits Called to Serve for saving his life. They have been my lifeline. My life has been completely changed. Ms. Price worked her magic through networking, and I was given keys to my new apartment in Mt. Airy on December 21, 2021. The area I live in now is beautiful, clean, safe, and quiet. It was an unexpected early Christmas gift to me. I cried like a baby when Ms. Price called me. I am financially responsible. I have never been late with my rent. Ms. Price enrolled me in a program to help with my anger management. That training program was so good. It helped me in so many ways. I received my certification in Adult Mental Health First Aid USA in May 2022. Ms. Price helped me get health insurance. I had both of my hips replaced at Temple University Hospital, no longer limping in pain. Temple Hospital treated me so nicely. I am a member of Zion Baptist Church. I start my day off at 6:00 AM on the prayer line. I attend bible study, and I am in church every Sunday for service. I never owned a car. I purchased my very first vehicle on November 1, 2025. God has restored my life and used Called To Serve as angels to help me. I hope I can be a blessing to my coworkers, sharing my life journey as I try to encourage them to do away with bad and old habits. What do I want for my future? I pray I can continue working for Called To Serve until I retire at the age of seventy. I hope they can get more grants to help people like me, who others would think twice about hiring. Most of us just needed someone to say, “Okay, you made mistakes. You still have your life ahead of you, the sky is the limit, and the world is yours if you put the hard work in.” Robert appreciates the kindness extended to him by the neighbors and business owners. If you should see Robert on the corridor or in the neighborhood, take time to say hello and thank him for keeping the streets clean. If you want to add a smile to his heart, offer him a bottle of water or hot coffee. Mayor Parker’s TCB Cleaning Ambassadors program is a vital part of Called to Serve, along with their city and state partnerships to revitalize the Broad, Germantown, and Erie commercial corridor. Together, we provide education, workforce development, stable employment, and foster hope. Thank you, supporters of Called to Serve, for giving a helping hand and second chances to returning citizens by empowering them to get over the systemic hurdles in marginalized communities. It is beyond challenging for them, but a priority that is well worth it Thank you for making this year's outing a rousing success! It was the biggest and best Called To Serve (CTS) Golf Outing sponsored by Raptor Trading Systems that we have had. Through your participation and generosity, we raised over $50,000. Again, we thank you. We believe it is important that you know how the funds raised support our efforts. Here are some examples:
Once again, we extend our thanks to all the golfers (we had 92 participants this year) and especially to our sponsors for their generosity. Special thanks to Raptor Trading Systems for their continued support as Title Sponsor of the event for the 5th year in a row. We hope everyone had as great a time as we did hosting the outing. We will keep you up to date on happenings with CTS, and we look forward to seeing you again next year. Our sponsors:
 On May 8, 2025, Called to Serve Executive Director Mike Major was the distinguished recipient of the Diamond Award at Temple University Hospital's prestigious Acres of Diamonds Gala.
This esteemed Diamond Award represents the highest form of recognition bestowed by Temple University Hospital. Each year, it celebrates individuals, vital community partners, and impactful programs that demonstrate exceptional social responsibility. During the heartfelt presentation, Temple University Hospital eloquently stated, "Mike Major embodies an unwavering commitment to the heart of North Philadelphia. Through his tireless dedication of time and resources, he has profoundly uplifted our community through a diverse range of initiatives centered on economic development, educational advancement, and social empowerment. We invite you to learn more about Mike's deep-rooted commitment to service in North Philadelphia through his remarkable organization, Called To Serve CDC." This significant recognition arrives just a week after another momentous occasion: the appointment of Mike as the interim pastor of the historic Zion Baptist Church, effective May 1, 2025. Zion Baptist Church stands as a pillar of service in the Nicetown-Tioga neighborhood, carrying forward the powerful legacy of the late Rev. Leon Sullivan. Rev. Major, who shares a long and meaningful personal and professional connection with Zion, is deeply committed to building upon the impactful work and innovative vision of Rev. Roman, striving to illuminate an even brighter future for the community. Zion's beloved long-standing interim pastor and esteemed civil rights leader, Rev. Roman, passed away on April 23rd, succumbing to age-associated decline at Jefferson Abington Hospital. His absence is deeply felt. As Rev. Major steps into this new role, he will undoubtedly honor the strong foundation laid before him while forging a new and inspiring legacy for both Zion Baptist Church and Called to Serve. A transformative new chapter is beginning in North Philadelphia. This past week, Called to Serve, Mosaic Development Partners, Watchdog, Camfred Construction, and Zion Baptist Church joined community leaders, elected officials, and residents to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Rev. Leon H. Sullivan Community Impact Center (SCIC). This $18 million redevelopment will bring essential healthcare services, educational resources, and economic opportunities to the Nicetown-Tioga community, revitalizing a long-vacant 27,000-square-foot space into a hub for progress. A Vision for Community Growth The SCIC is designed to provide vital resources for the community, including:
This project is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships. Made possible through funding and support from U.S. Bank, PIDC, the William Penn Foundation, Reinvestment Fund, PA RACP Program, Commerce Department of Philadelphia, Temple Health, and other philanthropic organizations, the center is designed to serve as a model for sustainable urban development. Event Highlights & Coverage The groundbreaking event brought together key stakeholders, community leaders, and partners who have championed this initiative. Below, you can explore key moments from the event: 📸 Event Photos: View a selection of images from the groundbreaking ceremony. 🎥 Watch a Livestream Clip: Relive part of the event. 📰 Media Coverage: See what ABC had to say about this milestone. 📄 Governor’s Letter: Read the official recognition from the Governor’s office.  What’s Next?
With construction underway, we are excited to keep the community updated on the progress of the SCIC. As we move forward, we encourage residents, partners, and supporters to stay engaged. Follow us for updates, and let’s build a stronger future for North Philadelphia together. A Big Thank You: 5th Annual Called To Serve Charity Golf Outing Sponsored by Raptor Trading Systems9/23/2024  On Saturday, September 14th, we had the pleasure of hosting our 5th Annual Called To Serve Charity Golf Outing Sponsored by Raptor Trading Systems at the Walnut Lane Golf Course in Philadelphia. The event was a huge success, bringing together dedicated participants, generous sponsors, and a shared commitment to support the Nicetown-Tioga neighborhood through the impactful work of Called To Serve. In addition to Raptor Trading Systems, this year’s outing was proudly supported by the following sponsors: Temple Health Systems Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University BHG Consulting Mosaic Development Partners JV University Lodge No. 51 Diantonio’s Events and Catering Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust Matty G Inc. North 10 Philadelphia Regional Foundation LLC Viviani Brothers Bee Bergvall & Co CPA's Black Taxi/Henry James Saloon Muldoon & Shields LLC Philly Auto Show Watchdog USA We were fortunate to have such a strong turnout for both the golf and the camaraderie that followed, with prizes, food, beverages, and great conversation enjoyed by all. The contributions from our sponsors and participants will help us continue supporting local businesses, providing essential resources to students, and funding community programs like literacy and computer programming initiatives. Thank you to everyone who participated, sponsored, and volunteered. Your contributions are helping Called To Serve make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many within our community. We look forward to seeing you next year for the 6th Annual Called To Serve Charity Golf Outing! We hope everyone is enjoying their summer! Our 5th annual Called To Serve Golf Outing Sponsored by Raptor Trading Systems is scheduled for Saturday, September 14th at the Walnut Lane Golf Course in Philadelphia and would like to invite you to the event. The format, again this year, is Breakfast and Registration 8:00 AM and a Shotgun start beginning @ 9:00 AM. The Called To Serve Golf Outing is the inspiration of Rev. Mike Major to raise funds for the important work that CTS provides for the residents of the Nicetown-Tioga neighborhood of North Philadelphia. Called To Serve in a grassroots organization dedicated to the complete renewal, restoration, and revitalization of these underserved neighborhoods. CTS’s primary focus is its mission of working within the community to revitalize and help local businesses thrive, along with helping and providing for better educational opportunities for neighborhood students so that they may reach their potential and achieve academically success. The money raised through this event is used help meet these goals and, in the past, has been used for:
We look forward to your joining us at Walnut Lane Golf Course. Our past events have been successful not only for the golf, but for the food, beverages, prizes and most of all for the friendship and common goals of helping a great cause. We look forward to carrying on that tradition. Individual golfers and foursomes (or trios or pairs) are welcome. We also have sponsorships available at different levels if you are interested. Your past help and partnership in our efforts to deliver children a quality education and provide the kind of support that entrepreneurs need to develop successful businesses is still needed and is very much appreciated. We again look to providing you a great day of enjoyment and at the same time, contribute to a good and worthy program. Help us make a difference We look forward to seeing you September 14, 2024. You can sign up using this www.bit.ly/ctsgolf2024 and the flyer is attached. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. See the attached sponsorship flyer or use the link. Donations may be made here if you are unable to join us.   To close out Black History Month, Called to Serve's Amelia Price delivered a speech to the Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine's "White Coats for Black Lives" event. She had the following to say: Good morning and thank you for this invitation.
I consider this an honor to be your guest speaker for such a prestigious ceremony “White Coats For Black Lives” to close out Black History month. As I stand before you, I see a beautiful sea of doctors in white jackets. I remember when I first starting interviewing as a community interviewer three years ago. About three months in to interviewing, I interviewed a medical professional who I will NEVER forget. I asked questions and each time, I could not believe what I was hearing. My final question to him was “What does it mean to you to have bedside manners in the health field especially in a marginalized community?” He replied, “Statistically minorities exaggerate their pain more than others. Most of the patients he did not believe they were in severe pain. He had a routine; when he entered a patient’s room, he would sit with his back to them and would not say anything to them for the first couple of minutes. If the patient is really in pain they will say something to me.” I was so stunned and disgusted with what he said. I noticed the facial reaction of the two other students who I was interviewing, they were appalled. Every question I asked him, he was insensitive. I was so shocked, that after my interviews were over, I asked the admissions staff, was that a mock interview I had just done. I could not believe a medical professional who had over ten years under his belt, could be so arrogant, bias and racist. It is one thing to hear unprofessional health stories, it is another thing to experience it ‘first hand’; Systemic Unethical Health behavior. On a day my family and I would normally be celebrating my son’s birthday, I woke up in excruciating pain three o’clock in the morning. I texted a doctor and explained what I was going through. They replied back immediately. “I will contact one of my colleagues and see if they can get you in”. An hour later, I received a call, they were able to get me an appointment for 8 AM. They asked me to text them my insurance information, DOB, address etc. The doctor did all the leg work for me. All I had to do was show up for the appointment. I arrived a half an hour ahead of time. I was greeted by the security guard who was so pleasant. She could see I was in pain. She asked me, did I have an appointment. I said, yes, 8 AM. She checked the list of patients scheduled, my name was not on the list. She extended an apology. I explained in detail how my appointment was scheduled. She advised, she would let the doctors know. Again, I was told I could not be seen. It dawned on me, pull my phone out, I had all the text messages between myself and this doctor. I showed the security guard the messages and asked her to take my phone back and show it to the doctors. She came back apologizing to me. Go figure, the security guard extends the apology, ‘not the medical staff.’ A staff member came out to speak with me, she was very short with me. She advised I had to go to another area to register and show proof of my insurance. I went to the receptionist, she advised, I had to call my insurance company and have them to call her to verify I had insurance since I was not a patient. Eventually, my name was called and I was taken back to an exam room. After seeing two doctors and enduring physical pain from each, I was advised they had scheduled me for another appointment to go to another unit. I went home streaming with tears, feelings hurt. I believe my appointment was scheduled for 1:00 pm. Again I was a half an hour early. I was the first patient there. I noticed patients coming in being seen and I was never called on. I sat a couple of hours waiting patiently. I was in so much pain, I went to the receptionist and asked, why I had not been called. “She replied, Oh Adrian, you were seen already, you can leave”. I let her know my name was not Adrian and gave her my correct name. She looks in the system, makes a call, excuses herself, goes in the back, comes back to the front desk and she tells me, “you had surgery this morning, you can go home”. I said excuse me, I did not have surgery earlier this morning. To make a long horrible story short, I went through pure hell the entire day. I guess I was one too many patients added on and I paid dearly for it. I was treated like a one and done, someone begging in a soup line. My physical pain was exacerbated to emotional and mental pain, they treated me as insignificant. Both doctors from the examination, probing and pulling made the pain ten times worst. I felt they were deliberately callous and very insensitive to the excruciating pain they inflicted. They were not culturally sensitive or compassionate. My horrible and unforgettable experience with them affirmed to me, these two doctors have truly lost sight of what it is to be mindful of patients in their care - who are most vulnerable. The ONLY PERSON who remembered my name and was so kind to me was the security guard. As I was leaving, She said, “Ms. Price are you okay”. I shook my head NO. The only holistic treatment I received was from the security guard. Mr. Solomon Jones, was the guest speaker on January 15th for Lewis Katz School of Medicine - Day of Activism. He shared his truth about a bad experience that happened to him 18 years ago. His story reminded me about my experience. Too sum it all up about Mr. Solomon Jones “Never judge a book by its cover”, “A picture of him now paints a thousand words of success and prosperity compared to 18 years ago when he was homeless and strung out on drugs.” By the way, it was a doctor that was mean spirited to him and it was two medical students who breathed life back into his spirit, just by sneaking him two cookies. The security guard was my angel of kindness. First encounters with a patient can leave a lasting impression. You have one time to get it right or get it wrong. One bad treatment from a medical professional can be very traumatizing. A patient can be very reluctant to ever follow-up with an appointment because of how they were treated, especially if they are vulnerable and do not have the fight in them. I have suffered in silence the past two years just as so many patients continue to. There are many beautiful hidden gems in marginalized communities. What is missing in the health field is more warm smiles, kind words, a helping hand, advocacy and accountability from doctors who have done a medical injustice to a patient. To me, bedside manners at its core is “respecting the humanity of your patient”. Your white jacket is supposed to represent “empathy and understanding”. Your patient should never feel intimidated by your white jacket; they should feel “THEY ARE SAFE IN YOUR HANDS”. I will sum up with the following:
I challenge you to help change the narrative of medicine; keep the holistic side of medicine at the forefront of your medical practice. Build relationships through trust. Marginalized communities will have healthier patients. I will leave you with one of the questions I ask during my interviews’ “Hypothetically, you have graduated, finished your residency, and received your medical license. You are now an independent physician working at Temple University Hospital. You happen to walk past a patient’s room and you witness one of your colleagues treating a patient from this community unjustly, What would you do?" There is a big world out there waiting for you; make your mark on medical history! Thank you! As the year draws to a close, we at Called to Serve reflect on the vibrant tapestry of initiatives, events, and accomplishments that have marked 2023 in North Philadelphia. From the inception of the BriDDge Career Pathways Program, which opened new horizons in digital skills for many, to the heartwarming involvement with Bethune Elementary during 'Reading Across America', each step we took was a stride towards empowerment and growth. The Cleaning Ambassador Program, under Rev. Harvey Bass, not only beautified our streets but also instilled a sense of community pride. Our advocacy for digital equity and job readiness resonated across neighborhoods, breaking down barriers and forging new opportunities. The legacy of Rev. Leon H. Sullivan continued to inspire our efforts, reminding us of the power of collective action in addressing social disparities, especially in the construction industry. The academic achievements celebrated at Bethune and Kenderton Elementary schools were a testament to the potential within every child, nurtured through community support. Each month brought its unique challenges and triumphs, but the underlying theme remained constant: a commitment to nurturing educational, economic, and social empowerment. As we step into the new year, we carry with us the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the unwavering spirit of service that defines our community in North Philadelphia.  |
