1/23
West Philadelphia
What’s That? Black squirrels
Penn Today spoke to Sarah Tomke in the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Futures Program about the black squirrels regularly seen on College Green. They are black because of a genetic mutation in the melanin receptor protein, which regulates pigment.
A look back at 2024 through Penn Today stories
Revisit some of the stories that highlighted the events, breakthroughs, people, and research across the University this year.
Care across cultures: Penn Medicine African Health Clinic
For the last two years, the Perelman School of Medicine has partnered with the African Family Health Organization to offer weekly family-medicine/primary care clinics for recent immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean.
‘Deeply Rooted’ community partnerships
Deeply Rooted is a community partnership that plants trees, greens vacant lots, and funds grassroots programs. The goal: health justice in action.
‘Dance checks every box’ with the Quaker Girls Dance Team
The Quaker Girls Dance Team partners with the Netter Center for Community Partnerships to mentor West Philadelphia dance and cheer teams.
Update on Penn’s $100M pledge to Philadelphia public schools
Significant progress has been made in the four years since Penn pledged $100 million to the School District of Philadelphia to remediate environmental hazards, including asbestos and lead, in hundreds of school buildings.
With NSO preceptorials, a chance to be curious
Preceptorials, a New Student Orientation tradition for first-year undergraduates, run this Saturday, Aug. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Restoring the public purpose of America’s urban universities
A new Netter Center white paper written in collaboration with eight universities highlights mutually beneficial university-community partnerships.
An empty outdoor space is transformed into a social garden
A 2023 Project for Progress initiative, the Breathing Room at Sayre High School was unveiled this spring.
Connecting the West Philadelphia community to careers
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative is a workforce development partnership between the University City District, Penn Medicine, and the University committed to develop career opportunities for local residents.
In the News
Free West Philly community clinic, which provided care to hundreds, is closed
Penn Medicine resident Noor Shaik and Michael Rubenstein of the Perelman School of Medicine discuss a West Philadelphia clinic that became a model for collaborations between academic health systems and community organizations.
FULL STORY →
Penn nurse confronts diabetes epidemic, health inequities in West Philadelphia
Penn Medicine nurse Jasmine Hudson outlines her campaign to combat diabetes and health inequities in West Philadelphia.
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Here’s what these youth advocates have to say about Philly’s truancy problem, and how they would fix it
The Netter Center for Community Partnerships has more than 30 years of investment in connecting resources that address truancy, such as establishing after-school programming.
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Event recognizes legacy of Judge A. Leon Higginbotham
A West Philadelphia mural has been dedicated to the late Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, formerly of Penn Carey Law, with a quote from Osagie Imasogie.
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Education power players—Lauren Overton, Principal, Penn Alexander School
In a video interview, Lauren Overton, principal of the Penn Alexander School and a doctoral candidate in the Graduate School of Education, discusses how she and her staff at PAS have adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The West Philly housing crisis that was utterly avoidable
An in-depth examination looks at the solution that might have put a stop to the UC Townhomes housing crisis, with a glimpse at what President Liz Magill and her office are doing to help.
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