Earlier this month, Pitt Pediatrics’ Career Help, Advancement and Achievement Mentorship Program (CHAMP) was fortunate enough to coordinate a meeting between the staff and students at Arsenal Middle School and Steelers running back Najee Harris. There as part of his foundation, Da’ Bigger Picture, which strives to provide resources and support for underserved families, Harris spent the afternoon participating in sports activities with the students, and answering questions about his own path through homelessness and into the NFL. 
Pitt Pediatrics previously wrote about the CHAMP group and its engagement with the students Arsenal Middle School in Lawrenceville. Since the beginning of their partnership, CHAMP has hosted a Black History Trivia Bowl with Arsenal students, set up a recurring “Save A Life Day” teaching critical CPR skills, and distributed wellness boxes biannually, among other ongoing activities.
Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, MD, MPH, FAAP, one of the leaders of CHAMP, was recently honored by the Pittsburgh Magazine’s Women and Business Awards, for her efforts with the group and her continued dedication to the diversity, equity, and inclusivity initiatives of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Pediatrics and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in the local community. This tireless effort eventually led to the connection with Najee Harris, who was very excited to engage with the students at Arsenal.
Harris, who graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in social work, emphasized to the students during his talk the importance of hard work and dedication, in any chosen field or ambition. He noted that even he wasn’t playing football, he’d still be at the top of whatever field he chose as a result of his focus and dedication. The students in turn asked about complicated questions about when he started training seriously for football, his daily schedule through high school and college, and other related topics.
In the coming weeks, CHAMP will be participating in a Career Day at Arsenal, where participating physicians and medical students will be talking about careers in medicine, science, and research. Later in May, CHAMP will also be traveling with Arsenal students to PNC Park to participate in an educational day focused on math, statistics, and careers in engineering, before watching the Pirates play in the afternoon.
Follow Pitt Pediatrics on Twitter for more updates about CHAMP and its community activities throughout the year.