“My AmeriCorps year anchored my personal and professional path in advocacy and lifelong service.”
As a Patient Navigator with the National Health Corps, Zachary Schreckenberger served a high-volume pediatric vision clinic, providing free comprehensive vision care for children living in the South Side of Chicago. Day-to-day, Zachary coordinated school-wide clinic visits, conducted ophthalmic tests, tracked glasses orders, managed referrals, mobilized volunteers, and supported public health initiatives across the city. For Zachary, it was a year of impact and growth that provided a foundation for a career in healthcare.
Zachary’s host site, the Princeton Vision Clinic, hosts AmeriCorps members as Patient Navigators through a partnership between the Illinois Eye Institute and Chicago Public Schools. For many students Zachary saw during his service year, receiving a free pair of glasses made the difference between struggling and succeeding in school. Zachary’s service year was interrupted in spring 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. He and fellow corps members pivoted to focus primarily on food distribution and the pandemic response, and, in the process, gained a valuable insight into what it means to deliver whole-of-patient care.
“I learned that caring for communities extends far beyond merely addressing medical needs—it requires cultivating mutual trust, fostering meaningful connections, and building a more equitable system for all.”
After AmeriCorps, Zachary took the next step in his journey to pediatrics and entered medical school at the University of Toledo. During medical school, Zachary continued to find ways to go above and beyond to serve his community. As a Board member of CommunityCare Clinics (CCC), the nation’s largest nonprofit, student-run free clinic, Zachary helped lead efforts to expand clinical services and address social determinants of health. This included designing and leading a multifaceted grant project to reduce transportation barriers for patients at the clinic, which led to a new accessible bus stop, the launch of a Patient Rideshare Program, and creation of a Community Transportation Toolkit for individualized resource navigation.
“Throughout the project, I applied lessons from my service year–collaborating with local leaders, navigating unforeseen obstacles, and amplifying community voices.”
During his time on the Board, CCC was named “Free Clinic of the Year” by the Ohio Department of Health, and he was nominated for the Toledo 20 Under 40 Award for leading the project.
As a student, Zachary discovered a passion for mentorship as an academic peer leader and tutor, hosting review sessions, creating individualized study plans, and supporting peers along their unique paths. He also served on the American Medical Association’s Medical Student Section Committee on LGBTQ+ Affairs, advancing policy efforts to improve care for LGBTQ+ communities.
Zachary graduated from medical school in May 2025 and returned to the city of Chicago to begin his residency in pediatric care.
“My AmeriCorps year taught me the joy, responsibility, and impact of service. As I graduate from medical school and return to Chicago to begin my pediatrics residency, I remain guided by the principles and purpose instilled in me through my service year. In residency and beyond, I aim to explore new ways to serve my communities and improve access to health and opportunity for all people.”
About the Service Year Alums Awards
The Service Year Alums Awards recognize outstanding alums across the national service community for their contributions during their service years and beyond. This diverse network is composed of AmeriCorps Alums, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and alums from various service year programs across the country.
In 2025, the Service Year Alums Awards are all about celebrating this life-changing experience, recognizing alums who embraced the lessons, skills, and connections gained during their service year to pursue meaningful careers and positively impact their communities.
