Students lauded for launching health clinic
Medical school team wins Living Our Values Award for commitment to underserved populations. The students established a free healthcare clinic in Santa Ana.
When a group of medical students – most from UC Irvine – first tried to establish a free healthcare clinic in Santa Ana, they got a hard lesson in the challenges of helping the needy.
After conducting an extensive needs assessment and months of planning, the students were ready to open the clinic’s doors – only to have the site they’d chosen become unavailable at the last minute. Then another site fell through, but still they persevered, eventually opening the UC Irvine Outreach Clinic in November 2008.
“They never lost hope or courage and kept sight of their goal of bringing healthcare to the underserved,” says Dr. Emily Dow, the clinic’s medical director. “It’s their passion, teamwork and unflagging enthusiasm for what they believe in that has made this clinic a success.”
The students – tomorrow’s doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals – spend Saturday mornings at the clinic treating people with very low incomes who don’t qualify for government programs. The facility offers primary care, preventive medicine, laboratory testing, medication and referral services. It’s located at the Hurtt Family Health Clinic, part of the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope at the former Marine Corps Air Station in Tustin.
“This is an amazing opportunity to learn and help care for the people who need it most,” says Charitha Reddy, a third-year medical student. “We’re learning what it means to be compassionate doctors and what it takes to provide proper care and referrals for the most needy patients and families.”
Because of their commitment, Reddy and 12 other students who established the clinic received the 2009 Living Our Values student team award.
“It’s the respect for all human beings and empathy for those less fortunate than themselves that are the fundamental values and driving force behind the students involved in this project,” Dow wrote in her nomination letter.
The students receive thorough training in clinic management and serve under the direction of UCI faculty physicians, led by Dow and Dr. Alberto Manetta, director of the UCI School of Medicine’s Office of Diversity & Community Engagement.
“By learning the importance of collaborating with other health professionals and community partners, our hope is that the students will continue to make positive contributions to underserved populations,” Dow says.
The UC Irvine Outreach Clinic is an extension of a 10-year student project called Clínica Cariño, a monthly clinic held in partnership with Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen in Santa Ana. Financial and faculty support from the School of Medicine and private donors has permitted the expansion of operations.
Students hope to eventually add locations, increase hours of availability, and provide dental and eye care. (The clinic recently began offering free mental health services, under the guidance of UCI psychiatrists.)
“With so many uninsured patients, it’s important that we take individual responsibility for the health of our communities,” says third-year medical student Shannon Toohey. “By donating a little bit of time, we can make an enormous difference in the lives of others, which is a pretty small contribution for such a large outcome.”
2009 Living Our Values student team award recipients: Negin Agange, Steven R. Chan, Borna Dabiri, Samia Ghaffar, Glenn Robert Gookin, Caroline King, Jacqueline King, Jody Lin, Jennifer Nicole Manss, Charitha D. Reddy, Karina Inez Salazar, Bradley Lynn Stoker and Shannon Toohey.
- Charitha Reddy and other medical students consult about patient treatment at the UC Irvine Outreach Clinic. A team of 13 students, including Reddy, received a Living Our Values Award for establishing the free clinic. Daniel A. Anderson / University Communications
- Dr. Emily Dow, family medicine associate clinical professor, inspires medical students to treat underserved communities.
- UC Irvine health sciences students have opened a free clinic to care for people who do not have access to adequate healthcare.
- “The students wanted to start a clinic where they can treat patients not just screen them for diseases,” says Dr. Emily Dow. “They’re seeing the plight of the poor and getting motivated to contribute to their care throughout their career.”
- Dr. Emily Dow is a faculty adviser for the student-run clinic at the Village of Hope, which opened Nov. 1 at the Orange County Rescue Mission.
- Medical student Scott Kendall, left, and Dr. Emily Dow (off camera) discuss patient Maria del Carmen Ortiz’ diagnosis.
- First-year medical student Heather Sand looks for patient reaction during an exam.
- Patient Juan Garcia consults with a third-year medical student.
- Medical students help a patient practice pricking a finger as part of blood sugar test.
- Dodging rain drops, UC Irvine health sciences students arrive to start their day at the clinic.
- The UC Irvine Outreach Clinic opens at 8 a.m. Saturdays at the Hurtt Family Health Clinic in Tustin.
- A medical guide provides help with a diagnosis.
- Medical students Scott Kendall, right, and Heather Sand take direction from Dr. Emily Dow as they examine Reyna Paniagua’s back.
- Educational discussions happen constantly in the clinic, including in the closet-like pharmacy.
- With advice from Dr. Emily Dow, medical students Scott Kendall, left, and Heather Sand examine Maria del Carmen Ortiz.
- Chores are part of the Outreach Clinic experience. Medical student Jeremy Song removes medical waste.
- Students and doctors assemble to discuss medical cases and determine courses of action.
- Learning procedures such as drawing blood is part of medical students’ comprehensive clinical education.