When Crozer Health in Chester, Pa., closed in the spring, thousands of area residents were abruptly left without access to reliable medical care. In response, local health and community leaders, including Annette Gadegbeku, MD, senior associate dean of the Office of Community Health and Inclusive Excellence, quickly mobilized to support area residents in maintaining continuity of care.
Their collective efforts culminated in the Together for Chester Healthcare Resource Fair held on June 28 at Chester City Hall and the Chester Charter Schools Academy. More than 20 volunteers provided attendees with blood pressure screenings, health assessments, prescription refills, new provider referrals and assistance accessing medical records. Among the volunteers were Drexel faculty members and several medical students from Drexel University College of Medicine.
“I was inspired by the opportunity to support a community that had experienced a sudden disruption in its access to health care,” said student volunteer Jane Taylor, MD ’28. “As a medical student, I felt a responsibility to contribute however I could and be a part of a collaborative effort to help meet people’s immediate needs.”
Another student volunteer, Sarah Brock, MD ’27, ruminated on the broader impact of the event. “We’ve seen the impact of major hospital closures in Philadelphia. Each time it’s the community that pays the price,” she said. “People in Chester lost providers, clinics and support they trusted. But despite all of that, they’re still showing up and trying to access care. I volunteered because I wanted to support the resilience that’s already there in the residents and health care workers.”
That spirit of resilience was palpable throughout the day. “One of the most memorable moments was seeing attendees spread the word after stopping by the event,” Brock recalled. “They eagerly called relatives and friends once they realized what resources we had available.”
For Solomon Wekunga, MD ’28, another student volunteer, the experience was humbling. “It was amazing how people from the Chester community came together to help each other out.”
Not only did the event address immediate health care needs, it also sparked reflection among volunteers. “It reinforced the idea that community service in medicine isn’t just optional — it’s essential,” said Taylor. “Events like this remind us that health care extends far beyond clinical walls.”
In addition to student volunteers, the resource fair brought together a wide network of health care providers and organizations, including Main Line Health, Vybe Urgent Care and The Foundation for Delaware County. Services were provided in a one-stop shop format, with volunteers guiding attendees to the appropriate stations for their needs.
Overall, the fair offered not only immediate relief, but also a pathway to long-term care by connecting residents with new providers and assisting them with insurance and referrals. As Chester continues to navigate the aftermath of the closure of Crozer Health, Together for Chester serves as a reminder of the power of community.