New free clinic
New, student-run free clinic opens in Garden Grove to treat underserved patients. Zach Ferguson / ASUCI

Along with losing the holiday waistline and upping the exercise quotient, UC Irvine Anteaters are making resolutions of a different nature this New Year. They’re pledging to make a difference in their communities, and a shining example is the launch of a student-run teaching health clinic in Garden Grove.

Under the supervision of Dr. Baotran Vo, a family medicine and primary care specialist with UC Irvine Health, first- and second-year UCI medical students will staff the clinic. Undergrads will shadow the medical students and handle administrative duties, such as ordering supplies.

Students raised funds to open the free clinic – which began as an undergraduate club project – partly by selling banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), hot dogs and hot chocolate on Ring Mall.

Garden Grove residents and UCI students and faculty celebrated the Lestonnac Free Clinic’s grand opening Dec. 13 at the Garden Grove United Methodist Church.

Open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the clinic is at 12747 Main St.

The effort is just one of many ways UCI is serving the community. The campus recently launched its Fifty for 50 program to promote volunteerism and civic engagement. Participants pledge to donate 50 or more hours of their time and talent over the university’s two-year 50th anniversary period.

The goal is to reach 50,000 hours of volunteer service. Students at the Garden Grove free clinic are off to a healthy start!