VCOM - Virginia 2018 Yearbook

International & Appalachian Outreach

V COM’s International and Appalachian outreach programs are the College’s Mission in action. Preparing globally-minded, community-focused physicians to meet the needs of rural and medically underserved populations goes beyond what happens in the classroom. Hands-on opportunities make sure all of our students have experiences developing relationships with patients and helping communities in need.

Every year, more and more students, alumni and faculty contribute their time and skills to week-long international medical outreach trips at these clinics. Closer to home, VCOM students and faculty work year-round, 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.

VCOM’s outreach programs are sustainable and benefit everyone involved. Not only do VCOM medical students have the opportunity to work in closely-supervised situations that they will experience later, but the programs also addresses needs in developing countries and rural Appalachia. The College maintains permanent, full-time medical

clinics in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Honduras.

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