Service Opportunities at the David Geffen School of Medicine
At UCLA, there is a unique opportunity for giving students both real-world experience and the chance to serve the diverse community of Los Angeles. The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA fosters and encourages collaboration between medical students to engage with the underserved.
The volunteer, student-run Mobile Clinic at UCLA brings medical, law, public health, and undergraduate students out of the classroom and onto the streets, where they can provide care for those who have nowhere else to turn.
We, the Optimists UCLA: We Respond or check us out on Facebook.
The Student Run Homeless Clinic (SRHC) and the Mobile Clinic Project (MCP) are sister organizations whose primary focus is to provide free health care to underserved and homeless populations of Los Angeles County. They provide an excellent firsthand experience in community-based primary care and a rich learning environment for students. There are, however, a few differences between the two organizations. First, MCP is primary supported be the UCLA Department of Public Health and the UCLA undergraduate community, whereas SRHC falls under the umbrella of the UCLA Department of Family Medicine. Second, the UCLA undergraduate community is a vital component to MCP activities. Undergraduates provide assistance with fundraising/grant writing, procuring supplies, organizing the Mobile Clinic truck, and serving as client case workers. On the other hand, SRHC is organized entirely by medical students. The experience is comparable to that of a third or fouth year ambulatory clerkship. As a result, SRHC students may receive course credit towards their medical degree by enrolling in an approved SRHC (s)elective.
UCLA Volunteers at the annual Care Harbor clinic solve small problems for the poor that could become catastrophic.
An estimated 4,000 people showed up for this year's Care Harbor free clinic held at the L.A. Sports Arena, an increase from last year's 3,000 who attended. This year, about 50 health care workers from UCLA volunteered their services. Volunteers included the ranks of Family and Sports Medicine Doctors, Medical Residents, International Medical Graduate Program participants, and UCLA students.
