Services and Programs

Pediatric Links with the Community (PLC)

Pediatric Links with the Community (PLC) is an award-winning program in which pediatricians-in-training work with community-based organizations to assure the health of all children in the Rochester community, particularly children who are at risk because of social or economic conditions or chronic health problems.

Mission

The mission of the Pediatric Links with the Community (PLC) Program is to improve the health and well-being of children in the Rochester community through collaborative efforts among pediatricians, community leaders, and pediatric trainees with all activities dedicated to service, child advocacy, and related evaluation. The program is helping create a model of pediatrics in which pediatricians work with community-based organizations to assure the health of all children and advocate for their needs.

Making A Difference

All pediatric residents at the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong participate in the PLC experience for a two-week community-based rotation early in their training. They work with a variety of providers at over 30 different community sites to provide health care and education for underserved children and families.

Many residents have revealed that the Pediatric Links with the Community program has been not only educational, but sometimes deeply transformational as well. Residents have increased knowledge regarding the experience of childhood poverty; they have renewed enthusiasm for child advocacy; and they feel skilled in how to refer needy families for special resources.