Contact: Jennifer Bush
202-828-0041
[email protected]
For Immediate Release
AAMC AND PFIZER ESTABLISH PROGRAM TO FUND MEDICAL STUDENT-INITIATED COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
Washington, D.C., March 29, 2000 -- The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in collaboration with Pfizer, Inc., and the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, announces the establishment of a new institutional grant program entitled "Caring for Community" to encourage the development of medical student-initiated services and programs to local communities. The AAMC will manage the Community Service Fund, a philanthropy created to support the community service projects.
"Community service is a vital part of becoming a doctor," said AAMC President Jordan J. Cohen, M.D. "The increasing involvement of medical students in community service projects demonstrates that they and their institutions share in this belief. 'Caring for Community' promises to help our students translate ideas into meaningful service."
"Our research has shown that the key elements of a successful patient-physician relationship are compassion, understanding, and partnership," said Mike Magee, M.D., senior medical advisor, Pfizer, Inc., and director of the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative. "Guided by the AAMC, these grants will empower medical students to develop these characteristics as they serve their communities."
According to the 1999 AAMC Medical School Graduation Questionnaire (GQ), community service activities are on the rise in U.S. medical schools. Voluntary participation in programs where medical students delivered services to underserved populations doubled between 1996 and 1999. In 1999, over 69 percent of medical students indicated that they had delivered services to underserved populations on a voluntary basis.
As part of the Caring for Community program, medical schools can receive grant support for community-service oriented projects developed and operated by medical students in which they explore new ways to serve their local communities. Programs eligible for funding may range from those promoting awareness about sexually transmitted diseases to vaccination. For example, medical students at the University of Colorado initiated the Salvation Army/Globeville Clinic. For several years, this primary care clinic has cooperated with a six-month residential urban alcohol and drug rehabilitation program. Students are involved in all aspects of the clinic's operation, including providing primary care to the community's underserved population.
Two award cycles will be held during each calendar year for the program. Awards will be announced in March and August. Each year, the AAMC will present up to 12 awards-up to four each for new projects, supplemental projects, and one-time projects. A project advisory committee will review each program to ensure it continues to meet the Caring for Community requirements. The amount of money awarded will depend upon the number of awards and the types of programs.
The new Caring for Community program continues the AAMC's commitment to community service. Each year at the Association's annual meeting, the AAMC honors a medical school that has demonstrated leadership in this area. In 1999, Morehouse School of Medicine was the seventh recipient of the AAMC Outstanding Community Service Award. Previous winners include the University of Miami School of Medicine in 1993, the University of Medicine and Dentistry-New Jersey Medical School in 1994, Boston University School of Medicine in 1995, Montefiore Medical Center in 1996, Wright State University School of Medicine in 1997, and UCLA with Drew University in 1998.
The AAMC is also a partner in the Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People 2010 (HP2010) effort, a national health promotion and disease initiative in which community service is a key component. More information about community service programs at U.S. medical schools can be found at http://www.aamc.org/tomorrowsdocs and http://www.positiveprofiles.com.
For a copy of the Caring for Community program brochure, which outlines specific details and requirements for participation, please contact the AAMC's Darnell Privott at [email protected] or 202-828-0551.
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The Association of American Medical Colleges represents the 125 accredited U.S. medical schools; the 16 accredited Canadian medical schools; some 400 major teaching hospitals, including 74 Veterans Administration medical centers; 91 academic and professional societies representing nearly 88,000 faculty members; and the nation's 67,000 medical students and 102,000 residents.
Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at http://www.aamc.org/newsroom.
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