Lewis University Nursing Students Promote Health & Wellness at Search

In 2018, Search began a new partnership with Resurrection University, a nursing school in Chicago that was later named Oak Point University. When Oak Point closed in 2024, Lewis University stepped in to help nursing students complete their education, and the partnership with Search continued. Search has hosted nursing students from this program for six years on an 8-week rotation each semester. Students help ensure individuals receive essential care while gaining hands-on experience in clinical and community-based settings. In addition, this partnership strengthens healthcare access and fosters valuable learning opportunities for future nurses.

During their weekly visits, the students review medical records, flag upcoming annual check-ups, follow-ups, and screenings, meet with individuals to update passports and communicate essential health updates to Search’s nursing team. Their work helps individuals stay on track with vital medical care, promoting both independence and well-being.

Medical Self-Advocates Program

Our most recent rotation of nursing students has focused on enhancing our Medical Self-Advocates program. This initiative empowers individuals supported by Search to advocate for themselves during medical and behavioral health appointments through the use of medical passports.

These medical passports are personalized binders created by program participants with the assistance of nursing students. They outline personal preferences, interests, and important medical conditions to be aware of during treatment. For instance, if an individual requires an overnight hospital stay, the medical passport can inform staff about anything from the person’s favorite TV show to co-occurring conditions that might impact their treatment plan.

For individuals who are nonverbal or have different communication styles, these passports are invaluable tools. They ensure that medical staff can understand and respect the patient’s needs and preferences, facilitating better and more personalized care during medical appointments.

Impact on Nursing Education

The partnership’s impact extends beyond the participants. For Professor Rey Bernardo, MSN, a Registered Nurse and Nursing Instructor at Lewis University, this collaboration serves as a vital learning experience for students as well as a crucial resource for Search’s participants.

“Our top priority is patient health,” Bernardo explains. “We assess their medical status, vaccines, lab tests, doctor’s appointments, medications, diet, and overall well-being. Our role is to go through their medical information and determine what appointments are past due what needs to happen next.”

Bernardo describes the program as a blend of clinical and clerical work, requiring students to think critically as they review records, ensure medication compliance, and notify doctors when follow-ups are needed.

“It’s not just about checking records,” he adds. “It’s about understanding why someone might not be compliant with their medication or appointments. Education is key and we have to assess and address those barriers.”

Bernardo first became involved through Lewis University’s Health Promotion course, coordinating with Search to formalize and expand the partnership. As a former clinical instructor, he now brings students to Search to experience real-world nursing challenges.

He emphasizes the impact of this program on student development, saying, “I hope students walk away from this understanding the power of nursing and the versatility it requires. This experience prepares them to provide safe, quality care while also planting the seed for future nurses to support programs like this.”

Marisa Rodriguez’s Journey

For Marisa Rodriguez, a nursing student in her second-to-last semester at Lewis, working at Search has been a transformative experience.

“At the end of the day, we’re helping people become more independent,” Rodriguez explains. “People want to understand what’s happening to them, why it’s important, and how they can manage their health moving forward.”

Her work at Search involves auditing medical records, updating information, reviewing physicals, and creating action plans for overdue medical services. “We take a top-to-bottom approach, making sure individuals receive necessary care like blood work, optometry exams, and specialist visits.”

Rodriguez says this experience has made her more humble and open-minded, reinforcing her passion for working with older and vulnerable populations.

“Before nursing school, I worked as a resident assistant for older adults. Now, working at Search, I feel like I’m meant to work with this community and create positive change.”

Moayad Qasim’s Insights

Nursing student Moayad Qasim echoes the importance of making healthcare more accessible and understandable for Search participants. He describes how he personalizes his approach by asking participants how they prefer to communicate, whether formally or more conversationally.

“A lot of people just want to sit down and talk like friends, which makes it much easier to explain things in a way that makes sense to them,” he says. “Using non-medical terms helps them feel comfortable and truly understand what’s going on with their health.”

He also emphasizes how this experience has changed his perspective as a future nurse. “It’s been helpful to see healthcare from the patient’s side. Now, I know how to approach my next patient with the same type of disability, making them feel more comfortable and heard.”

Beyond the direct medical work, Qasim was struck by the strong sense of community at Search. “Everyone here, staff and participants, seems so genuine. You can tell how happy people are to be here. The way staff know each individual by name, the way they provide structure while still making it a welcoming space. It’s really inspiring.”

Future of the Partnership

Professor Bernardo and the students hope this partnership continues to grow, providing essential healthcare support to Search participants while shaping future nurses into compassionate, community-driven professionals.

“I think it’s a great partnership,” Bernardo says. “I hope we continue working together and create even more opportunities to support Search and the individuals they serve.” Thank you so much to Lewis for this partnership and for all you do to support the health and well-being of people supported by Search!