VCOM - Virginia 2016 Yearbook

Appalachian Outreach

The Appalachian Mountains form a picturesque region known for culture, heritage and rural communities with strong bonds.

M edical students and faculty at VCOM enhance their skills in providing patient centered medicine through outreach activities in the Appalachian region. Second-year students at VCOM–Virginia are actively involved in community outreach experiences through Interprofessional Early Clinical Experiences (IECEs) and volunteer outreach at local area health fairs, free clinics, and other services, all while receiving instruction from experienced faculty and staff. As part of their Appalachian outreach training, VCOM students assist faculty in

hosting “Mini-Medical Schools” promoting healthy behaviors and providing a glimpse at what it is like to be a medical student for rural high school students. Students and faculty also volunteer with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs at local schools to share their experience with rural students who are interested in entering healthcare careers. On a larger scale, students assist faculty in hosting the Summer Enrichment Experience (SEE) Program, which offers two one- week “summer camp” style opportunities for local,

underserved high school students. During the SEE Program, high school boys and girls are immersed in the healthcare field, with activities ranging from research to the anatomy lab and a tour of the local medical transport helicopter. Through Appalachian outreach, VCOM students gain experience in public and environmental health, as well as providing care for patients who live in poor socioeconomic conditions. Medical outreach experiences are a key component in educating students to provide healthcare in challenging environments.

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