Student National Medical Association SNMA is the oldest and largest medi- cal school organization dedicated to serving people of color and under- American Medical Association served communities. The UPSOM chap- ter has implemented several projects (Medical Student Section) within the Pittsburgh community. The AMA-MSS offers many resources to get you started in organizing a community service project or education-  East Liberty Presbyterian Church Men’s Shelter al program. Past projects have included hunger aware- Soup Kitchen and Blood Pressure Screenings – ness, medical supply recycling, and health literacy. Monthly project that performs BP screen- ing for the homeless and provides dinners. .

 Shuman Juvenile Detention Center and AIDS/ STD Awareness Project – Students assist in completing initial health screenings and provide workshops on AIDS/STD’s. Community Vision Quest  Medical Explorers – Medical students help implement programs that expose minority The Interest Group directs this and Loving Students’ (OPALS) and underprivileged high school students to program. Projects include the Guerilla Eye Service and biological sciences. whose mission is to promote eye health education, sponsored picnic. Photo: Sarah Heres. and free vision screenings to reduce visual impair-  Premedical Organization for Minority ment in medically underserved communities. Students – Members mentor minority pre-med undergraduates.

Additional Avenues for Working in the Community:

Asian Pacific American Medical Student  Geriatric Experiences for Medical Students Association  Student for the Underserved (SDU) APAMSA Pittsburgh chapter is dedi-  Prevention Point Pittsburgh—Needle Exchange cated to addressing medical issues  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender issues important to Asian American’s, the  Annual SEC Community Outreach Clothes Drive promotion of Asian American well being, and raising cultural awareness.  ESL Health Literacy Program This program addresses the health literacy There are also plenty of opportunities through UP- needs of Somali Bantu refugees, orientating SOM organizations to address national and interna- the Bantu to Pittsburgh’s system, tional issues, serving communities throughout the and promoting in a culturally appropriate country and around the globe. manner positive health behaviors. Medical students develop monthly workshops. Places to start: Get Involved!  Examples of other Projects: Annual bone Marrow Drive Pre-med Mentorship Carnegie Mellon Community Service Asian American Health Screening Fair Opportunities

Get Involved! Students And Latinos United Against Disparities SALUD took the first steps to address the health American Medical Student Serving the People of needs of Latinos in the Pittsburgh area and was Association (AMSA) founded by medical students as an Albert Sch- AMSA acts as an umbrella group weitzer Fellowship project. Our volunteers provi- overseeing many smaller organiza- Pittsburgh de health education, free health care with stu- tions and student lead initiatives dent interpreters at the Birmingham Clinic, and run screening and vaccination clinics throughout that provide vital support to the What makes our stand- the year. community. Projects have included ’s awareness, covering the unin- out is our commitment to community service and Oncology Patients and Loving Students sured, and domestic violence. OPALS provides outreach to pediatric oncology Some of AMSA programs include: humane medi- patients at Children’s . The “buddy” pro- cine. We value gram pairs medical students with a child during  Pregnant Adolescents Learning that each person his/her stay providing relief for the parents, and with Students an opportunity to learn about pediatric oncolo- is unique and gy from the ’s perspective. Students are PALS trains medical student to provide recognize the also involved in activities such as a Christmas din- emotional and professional support to expectant teen mothers and allowing stu- importance of ner and summer celebration picnic. Pediatric oncologists and social workers give lectures to dents to experientially learn about the clini- being able to the group to increase the students’ understand- cal and personal aspects of prenatal health understand and ing of the special challenges faced by the care. Students are paired with a pregnant patients and their families. relate to our teenager and accompany the teen to pre- Photo: Andres Turner patients as Operation Safety Net natal visits, birthing classes, and the birth. people. Student community service OSN, based out of Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, is initiatives allows us to give to the people an organization of health professionals, volun-  Health Outreach Education teers, and formerly homeless individuals whose and communities that we live among Program mission is to provide health care and social ser- HOEP, a student-run organization, works in and provides opportunities to deepen vices to Pittsburgh’s homeless population. OSN conjunction with the Program for Health our skills as humanitarian doctors. We uses a street-based outreach approach, in Care to Underserved Populations (PHCUP). can experience the diversity of needs of which small teams walk the streets in an effort to (PHCUP is part of the Division of Internal Med- the people we serve and become seek out unsheltered homeless persons, building icine.) Volunteers help provide relationships with them and bridging access to and health education to homeless and un- leaders in the delivery of health care. health care and social services. derserved populations at two Pittsburgh- This brochure introduces opportunities for based locations: the Birmingham Clinic and the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater community service in the Pittsburgh area. Pittsburgh. Medical students are an integral The Student Executive Council’s Commu- part of patient care. HOEP student coordi- nity Service Committee has provided this nators organize the schedules and plan edu- information. We hope that you look cational events. Volunteers can also design and give talks about important health issues further and lead the way for students to at various community sites through Commu- “Get Involved!” nity Health Action Talks (CHAT!).

Cover the Uninsured Week (AMSA) Photo: Andres Turner