05/01/2026
Population Health students at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing are partnering with students at Believe STL Academy to address health disparities and strengthen community health across St. Louis.
Through hands-on learning and industry-recognized certifications, BELIEVE students are gaining the skills needed to move directly from high school into family-sustaining careers, while also building a deeper understanding of what it means to care for others. Alongside Goldfarb students, BELIEVE Academy students are learning that working in health care isnโt just about working a job; itโs about taking care of the people around them through simple steps.
Each semester this academic year, Goldfarb Population Health students are leading conversations with BELIEVE Academy students on physical and mental health, as well as the role health care workers play in advancing community well-being. This past fall, the focus was on flu vaccinationsโand the discussion extended beyond the classroom.
โIt was an open, honest conversation,โ adds Misha-Renee Hart, program manager for BJC Health Belonging and Inclusion, which works cooperatively with BELIEVE Academy
Population Health students, along with BJC Health Belonging and Inclusion, facilitated an evening conversation session and focus groups with BELIEVE Academy students and their parents and guardians to better understand vaccine hesitancy, including barriers such as access and trust. It was an opportunity for Goldfarb students to talk to the families in a safe and trust-building environment.
Goldfarb students also explored the broader impact of the flu in the focus group, particularly on vulnerable populations. These conversations reinforced what many are seeing firsthand in clinical settings: that the virus should not be underestimated. Encouraging vaccination, as Misha noted, aligns with BJCโs values of Kindness and Safety by prioritizing the well-being of others.
โThe goal is to equip students with real-world perspective,โ Misha adds. โWhat stood out most was the time spent listening and learning together.โ