Service Learning for Medical Students
The LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education) defines service learning as educational experiences that encompass 3 criteria:
- Medical students' service to the community in activities that respond to community-identified concerns
- Student preparation
- Student reflection on the relationships among their participation in the activity, their medical school curriculum, and their roles as citizens and medical professionals
It is our hope to provide UTHSC medical students the opportunity to engage their community with both scholarly intention and humanitarian compassion through service learning.
Please contact us with any questions or recommendations. If you would like help setting up an opportunity to get involved in our community, don’t hesitate to reach out! If you have any trouble getting involved with any of the organizations listed below, please let us know.
LSP and Service Learning
Service Learning projects can be used to fulfill your requirements for the Longitudinal Scholars Project (LSP) course. Refer to the Community and Global Health Projects tab under the Project and Presentations section for additional information.
Service Opportunities
- What is it: Best Buddies is an organization dedicated to creating one-on-one, meaningful friendships with our peers with special needs
- How to get involved: https://www.bestbuddieschampion.org/memphis/about-best-buddies/
The purpose of our group is to a) Serve as ambassadors at UTHSC for the Church Health Center with regards to its overall mission and community outreach goals, b) Gain exposure and experience in community-based healthcare, c) Serve as student representatives from whom CHC can get feedback and gather ideas, d) Develop and execute community projects on behalf of CHC and UTHSC to promote health and wellness in Memphis. We will be contacting students regularly about service opportunities, educational programs, and for input on CHC projects.
- Dates/Times: No set regular meeting times. We will contact the student body as opportunities arise.
- Get Involved: https://churchhealth.org/donate-ps-g/?
- What is it: Medical care for Memphis’ homeless population
- When is it: 4:00-6:00 pm on the first Saturday of every month
- Where is it: St. John's United Methodist Church 1207 Peabody Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
- How to get involved: Contact Jami Reece jreece4@uthsc.edu or Kristen Booth
This has been something new we have been began this year. Ideally, every month, we will be packing balanced meals as sacked lunches that we will pass out to members of the homeless community. This was a brilliant idea that Annie actually came up with, and it seeks to address a fundamental need experience by many in Memphis: proper nutrition.
Downtown Memphis is the epitome of a food dessert, with little option for fresh produce or quality proteins. Add to this a constant struggle to salvage for the financial means to purchase sustenance, and you realize one of many predicaments the homeless face. Currently there are several non-profit organizations and churches committed to feeding the homeless every day of the week.
Making people aware of these valuable resources (we include flyers with our sacked lunches), along with offering up a quick and healthy meal in the process, is one way we believe we can make a difference and foster a relationship with Memphis's homeless.
- Dates/Times: TBA
- Contacts: Nikhita Jain (Co-President) and Annie Ameha (Co-President)
- What is it: Student-2-Student Memphis (S2S) is a School Board-approved program that teaches medically accurate reproductive health education to 10th-to-12th grade students in Shelby County Schools. Medical students volunteer teach 50-minute sessions that aim to combat the city's high rates of sexually transmitted infections.
- How to get involved: Contact chapter president, Radha Patel - rpatel68@uthsc.edu
- What is it: An affordable clinic for Spanish-speaking people around Memphis
- What do I do: If you speak Spanish, you’ll probably be an interpreter. If you don’t, you’ll assist the M2’s/M3’s in seeing a patient.
- When is it: Tuesday’s from 6:00-8:30 PM at Christ Community Healthcare
- Where is it: 2861 Broad Ave, Memphis, TN 38112
- How to get involved: Go to UTHSC Banner → Student → Clinica Esperanza Scheduler → General Volunteer
- What is it: An organization that goes to schools around Shelby County to teach students about topics ranging from nutrition to tobacco use. It’s fun and easy, and the lessons and activities are already planned. Just show up and engage with the kids!
- How to get involved: Contact co-presidents Taylor Mobley (tbrewer8@uthsc.edu) or Sonia Ajmera (sajmera@uthsc.edu) or VP Rahul Mohan (rmohan1@uthsc.edu)
- What is it: An organization that seeks to empower, equip and encourage the refugee community of Memphis through education and enrichment programs
- What do I do: Help with after school homework help, adult English classes, mentorship, summer enrichment program, or nursey care. So many opportunities here! Most require a 1-hour commitment each week.
- How to get involved: Fill out an application on their website at www.repmemphis.org
- What is it: An intensive six-week service-learning experience for medical students and graduate-level nursing and physician assistant students that provides students with an opportunity to examine the challenges and rewards of primary care practice at community health centers across the United States. Scholars receive a $5,000 scholarship stipend that is expected to cover travel, living, and lodging expenses during the program.
- How to get involved: https://nmfonline.org/scholarships/nmf-primary-care-leadership-program/