Petra Clark-Dufner ’81 MA is a dynamic and engaging educator who leads a group of health care professionals in an urban services bootcamp. With a mix of rapid-fire questioning, gentle encouragement, and humor, she keeps her students on their toes. During a session, she highlights the importance of assessing a patient’s feelings and using windows as a tool for deeper understanding, receiving praise for her teaching approach.
As the director of UConn’s Urban Service Track Scholars Program (UST) for nearly two decades, Clark-Dufner is passionate about providing accessible health care for all. The program, which started in 2007, has seen 17 cohorts of around 65 students each. Participants come from various disciplines such as Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, and the Quinnipiac University physician assistant program. Clark-Dufner’s students have a deep respect and admiration for her dedication to their education.
The UST program offers a wide range of activities to enhance students’ learning experiences, including retreats, shared readings, interprofessional learning communities, a student-alumni podcast series, and community-based clinical trainings. Students are exposed to topics such as health care financing, cultural humility, advocacy, health promotion, basic screenings, and most importantly, effective communication with community members and patients.
Throughout her tenure as program director, Clark-Dufner has been a driving force behind the program’s commitment to equipping future health care professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to serve diverse populations effectively. Her innovative and engaging teaching methods continue to inspire and empower students in their pursuit of providing quality health care for all.