Our Mission
Connect2Health mobilizes student volunteers to link underserved patients with social services, and prepares students to be empathetic future health professionals who understand the importance of social determinants of health.
Donate to Connect2Health
You can help the Connect2Health program continue to progress
with even a small contribution.
Improving patient care and ourselves
We work with health clinics and patients so the patient can get more complete care. Informing and empowering patients to meet their specific needs helps the patient get better control of their wellness, lessens the need for future medical services, and eases the strain many clinics and healthcare providers feel.
How we do this is as varied as the patients themselves. It's difficult to describe the scope of the services we provide because we are as flexible as the clinics and doctors need us to be. The best way to understand what we do is to hear from the people we work with.
Watch what clinicians say about us
A brief video that describes what Connect2Health does.
Impacting the community and our volunteers
Statistics that show the difference
Research has shown that patients with unmet social needs visit the ER more frequently. Addressing these needs in a healthcare setting may reduce recurrent emergency room visits and increase ER efficiency.
Our volunteer statistics from 2018 add up to more patients helped and subsequently less emergency room visits. This has an exponential impact—freeing up time that doctors can spend interacting with more patients, improving health outcomes of patients after discharge, and allowing future healthcare providers to gain the experience needed to better help patients in the future
8,502 Volunteer hours
74 Volunteer opportunities
3,799 Number of patients and families helped
Connect2Health and the Media
See us in the news.
University of Utah Academic News
If you're interested in writing about Connect2Health reach out to us at Connect2Health.Director@health.utah.edu
"I had an interaction with an individual a week ago that I had previously helped in the fall of this year. The last time we had an interaction, they were homeless and needed assistance with almost every need on our list. After we both recognized each other and said hello, I asked if there was anything that I could help with. They responded with no, and began describing how their life has gone through many positive changes. They explained to me with a big smile that they were no longer homeless and that they are the happiest they have been in a long time. It is absolutely awesome to see people progress in life and find more happiness."
- Dylan, volunteer.
"I have learned so much with C2H and it is definitely an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. I remember how frightening it was to have my first solo shift, approaching my first patient at the waiting room, and even making my first voicemail. I feel like I have gained a lot more confidence in my interactions with others due to this experience and many people I know have seen the difference. Thank you to everyone has contributed to my growth and positive experience!."
- Jordenn, volunteer.
"As part of the ED follow up process, I had the opportunity to reach out to a member who stated felt forgotten by the system. Not only I was able to connect him to our Care Managers who were able to provide him with the medical support he needed, but I worked with him addressing his social needs. In the end, as I reached out to him one more time to follow up on the resources, he was very grateful and thankful for the help and told me 'the day you called, my life changed for the better. Thanks for being an angel' I will never forget his kind words." "I learned immensely at Connect2Health. This opportunity allowed me to get offered a job with Health Plans which I'm excited to pursue."
- Vanessa, UUHP Intern