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West Philadelphia

What’s That? Black squirrels
a black squirrel perched on a tree trunk

A black squirrel on College Green in the fall of 2024. 

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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.
Care across cultures: Penn Medicine African Health Clinic
Members of Penn’s African Health Clinic.

From check-ups to managing diabetes, treating common illnesses, and X-raying injured extremities, the care team handles a variety of patients’ needs right from the off-site clinics.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Medicine News)

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.

Alex Gardner

‘Deeply Rooted’ community partnerships
Jovian Patterson looks at some raspberry bushes growing in a community garden.

Jovian Patterson has used Deeply Rooted community green grants to expand an annual garden class for his West Philadelphia neighbors.

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‘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.

Christina Hernandez Sherwood for Penn Medicine Magazine

Update on Penn’s $100M pledge to Philadelphia public schools
Exterior of Roxborough High School in Philadelphia

The funding Penn is providing to Philadelphia Public Schools is being used to remediate environmental hazards in schools throughout the city, including the 100-year-old Roxborough High School in North Philadelphia.

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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
A stairwell and mural next to a group of students sitting in chairs.

A scene from a fall 2023 preceptorial.

(Image: Courtesy of New Student Orientation)

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
Two college students lean over a table to talk with elementary school students

Penn students and district staff with students at Lea Elementary.

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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.

Kristina García