January 20, 2025
Immanuel’s Education Affiliation Program provides future healthcare professionals unique opportunities to connect with and learn from older adults, fostering a deeper understanding of geriatric care.
Among its inspiring participants is Jenny Song, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), whose passion for serving the aging population is rooted in personal experiences. Growing up, Jenny spent summers with her grandparents in South Korea, observing the aging process up close and developing a strong desire to understand and support the needs of older adults.
“Spending so much time with them allowed me to watch them closely as they age and observe their day-to-day routine,” said Jenny. “I would always wonder what is on their mind, what brings them joy, what they miss, what fears or worries they may have, how can I better interact with them to have more meaningful conversations with them and be considerate of their physical and emotional needs. I wanted to better understand their age group and train to become a better physician for the aging population in the United States.”
This goal eventually led her to Immanuel Pathways, where her journey into geriatric medicine found a new purpose and direction. By fostering partnerships with institutions like UNMC, the program gives students like Jenny a chance to gain hands-on experience, conduct impactful research, and connect with the aging population on a deeper level.
In January 2022, Jenny began working with Dr. Natalie Manley, first at long-term care communities and later at Immanuel Pathways, where Dr. Manley serves as medical director. Her research project, conducted under Dr. Manley’s mentorship, explored quality improvement initiatives for PACE® participants. Jenny said Dr. Manley’s enthusiasm and guidance transformed her initial concerns about conducting research into a journey of professional and personal development.
With Manley’s support, Jenny achieved milestones such as presenting her work at the National PACE® Association annual meeting in San Diego.
“Dr. Natalie Manley is a bundle of enthusiasm, compassion, and proactiveness,” said Jenny. “Her excitement about the potential quality improvement projects that could be done transformed my initially concerned mindset (as I had never formally conducted my own research project before) to feeling hope and empowerment.”
At Immanuel Pathways, Jenny discovered the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork in motivating older adults to engage in healthy behaviors. She found inspiration in the dedication of PACE® staff members, from recreational therapists to transportation providers, who worked tirelessly to create a supportive and enriching environment for participants. Conducting interviews and observing daily routines allowed Jenny to gain valuable insights into participants’ experiences and needs, deepening her commitment to geriatric medicine.
“Meeting the recreation staff, Tai Chi instructors, and participants was humbling and reinforced my desire to work with older adults,” she shared.
Jenny’s practicum also gave her the opportunity to present her findings at the Korean American Medical Association Scientific Convention in Seoul. Highlighting the impact of community-based quality improvement projects, she shared the importance of programs like PACE® in addressing the complex needs of older adults. Her presentation emphasized the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration and holistic care.
“Sharing my work with an international audience was meaningful, as it brought attention to geriatric medicine and the need for more specialists in this field,” she said.
Traveling to San Diego, California, and Seoul, South Korea, provided Jenny with unforgettable experiences. In San Diego, she connected with other Immanuel Pathways staff, exploring the city together and sharing ideas for enhancing PACE® centers. These moments highlighted the camaraderie and innovation that drive PACE® programs nationwide.
“My favorite memory is exploring the city of San Diego with them, grabbing some delicious tacos, and observing the staff discuss the areas of improvement at their centers,” she said.
Looking ahead, Jenny plans to pursue a career in psychiatry focusing on geriatric care, potentially through a fellowship in geriatric psychiatry. Her experiences at Immanuel broadened her perspective on patient care and inspired her to consider roles outside traditional academic institutions. She saw firsthand the significant impact that community-level initiatives can have on improving the lives of older adults.
“The staff are very enthusiastic and creative and take the initiative to improve the experience for the participants,” said Jenny. “When I interacted with people from other PACE® centers at the NPA conference, many of them were impressed by the operations that Immanuel executes, especially the work being done by the recreational therapy team. Participant motivation, engagement, and rapport building are some of the most fundamental parts of caring for seniors. Immanuel staff has clearly made that a priority in their work.”
Jenny’s time at Immanuel also reinforced the importance of collaboration in healthcare. She observed how clear communication and shared goals among team members led to meaningful outcomes for participants. This lesson has become a cornerstone of her approach to geriatric care and will guide her future medical endeavors.
“This experience is undoubtedly one of the most meaningful experiences I had in my medical school training,” she said. “I accomplished beyond what I could have imagined two years ago.”
Jenny’s journey demonstrates the program’s potential to inspire meaningful contributions to geriatric care while fostering professional growth. Her story is also a testament to the vital work being done at Immanuel Pathways and the importance of partnerships that prepare the next generation of healthcare providers.
As Jenny’s experience illustrates, the support and dedication of Immanuel’s staff leave a lasting impact on both participants and trainees, ensuring a brighter future for senior care.
