VCOM - Virginia 2017 Yearbook

International & Appalachian Outreach

O ur International and Appalachian outreach programs at VCOM are the backbone of our commitment to living out our mission of preparing globally-minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations. These opportunities make sure all of our students have first-hand experiences with developing deep connections with patients and helping communities in need.

Every year, more and more students, alumni and faculty contribute their efforts to week-long international medical outreach trips to these clinics. Closer to home, our students and faculty work tirelessly at volunteering their time in free clinics, working on fundraisers, donating time and resources for community health fairs, and educating the community to improve everyone’s quality of life.

Our outreach programs are practical. Not only do VCOM medical students have the opportunity to work in closely- supervised situations that they will experience later, but the programs truly address needs in developing countries and rural Appalachia. To be as sustainable as possible, the College has created permanent, full- time medical clinics in the

Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Honduras.

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