Washington, D.C., June 5, 2003 - The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), in collaboration with the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, has awarded grants to eight U.S. medical schools for the development of student-initiated programs and services.

The "Caring for Community" institutional grant program provides funding for community health projects initiated, developed, and run by medical students. The goal of the program is to encourage students to identify unique or unexplored avenues of community service.

Over the last three years, the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative has provided more than $500,000 to fund the AAMC Caring for Community grant program. Forty medical student programs and projects at as many medical schools nationwide have received support since the program's inception in 2000.

The 2003 grantees are: Medical College of Wisconsin, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Rush Medical College, University of California - Irvine College of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

"These eight Caring for Community grants recognize medical students' commitment to bettering the communities in which they live, as well as their professionalism, knowledge, and skills. The students who participate in these projects will meet people who will open their eyes to new challenges and change their attitudes and perceptions of what it means to be a physician. I expect that, as a result, the students will benefit at least as much as the people they will serve, if not more," said Robert Sabalis, Ph.D., associate vice president of student affairs and programs for the AAMC.

Three types of grants are available through the "Caring for Community" program - new, supplemental, and non-continuous. New projects typically receive $12,000 during the first year, an amount that will decrease by 25 percent annually through the fourth and final year of the grant. Four-year supplemental grants, awarded to existing programs, provide $8,000 during the first year and also decrease 25 percent annually. Non-continuous grants are awarded to short-term projects and may provide up to $15,000.

"The beauty of this program is that it not only taps into the students' flow of creativity, energy, and commitment to service, but also changes the lives of real people and helps create for them a brighter future," said Mike Magee, M.D., director of the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative.

Grantees and Program Descriptions:

Medical College of Wisconsin - "Health Screenings in Milwaukee's Public Housing Community Project"
In conjunction with a local free clinic, medical students will conduct various health screenings in Milwaukee's public housing community. The program will serve up to 7,000 of the community's low-income residents who are at an increased risk for hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

Ohio State University College of Medicine - "Columbus Free Clinic Project"
The Columbus Free Clinic was established 20 years ago as a center for runaway teens and has since evolved into a student-managed primary and urgent care clinic. As the clinic continues to expand its services, grant support will allow more patients to receive care and will provide additional supplies, medications and laboratory tests needed.

Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine - "LionCare Project"
LionCare (Compassionate healthcare, Advocacy, Renewal, and Education) provides healthcare services and education to the medically underserved community of central Pennsylvania, including homeless and indigent populations. The LionCare free clinic in downtown Harrisburg also serves as a central source of up-to-date medical records on the community's underserved residents.

Rush Medical College - "Franciscan's Advanced Initiative to Healthcare (FAITH) Project"
The homeless are disproportionately affected by AIDS, substance abuse, mental illness and, in Chicago, tuberculosis. The Franciscan Homeless Shelter Clinic provided medical care and treatment to more than 400 homeless men last year. In addition to improving healthcare delivery and patient/provider education at the clinic, students involved in the project will begin a year-long epidemiological study on the homeless population of the shelter in order to improve health care delivery to the homeless on a larger scale.

University of California, Irvine College of Medicine - "Clinica Carino Project"
Clinica Carino serves the medical needs of the working poor, homeless and elderly in Santa Ana, California, a federally designated underserved area. Medical students serving this largely Latino population gain culturally sensitive experience providing medical treatment, counseling and educational services, referrals to community resources, health screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol, and functional assessments in the elderly.

University of Kansas Medical Center - "JayDoc Free Clinic Project"
The University of Kansas medical school is located in one of the poorest counties in the state, one with an increasing problem of adolescent obesity and teen pregnancy. In response to the lack of free medical care available during evening and nighttime hours, UK medical students will open the JayDoc Free Clinic, a weekly evening clinic to provide preventive services and health counseling/education to the county's medically underserved.

University of Miami School of Medicine - "South Miami Student Clinic Project"
Student members of the medical school's department of community service will re-open the South Miami Student Clinic, offering medical services at no cost to Miami's large population of uninsured residents.

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine - "United Community Clinics Project"
Founded by students, United Community Clinics offer free basic medical care and preventive health screening, social services and counseling, medical referrals, and health education to residents of the East Parkside area of West Philadelphia. Approximately 600 patients annually receive clinic services, which also include providing physical exams required for work or school attendance.

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The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association representing all 129 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and 94 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 109,000 faculty members, 67,000 medical students, and 104,000 resident physicians. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.

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