Together for Chester: Community-Driven Health Fairs
When Crozer Health in Chester, Pennsylvania, 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, 2025, 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.
“I was inspired by the opportunity to support a community that had experienced a sudden disruption in its access to health care,” says student volunteer Jane Taylor, MD ’28. “As a medical student, I felt a responsibility to contribute however I could.”
Another student volunteer, Sarah Brock, MD ’27, reflects 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 says. “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 recalls. “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.”
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