March 25, 2009
Contact: Lisa Spellman, UNMC Public Affairs, (402) 559-4693, lspellman@unmc.edu
News releases are archived on the UNMC Web site at:
https://app1.unmc.edu/publicaffairs/newsarchive/releases.cfm
On March 27th, 28th and 29th, health profession students from across the nation will come together at the University of Nebraska Medical Center to share their vision for strengthening the health of American citizens through student-run clinics.
“Medicine is not just about treating the sick, but about ensuring the well being of a community,” said Natalie Stavas, a second-year medical student at UNMC.
The multidisciplinary conference will act as a catalyst for a national, student-led movement to decrease health disparities and facilitate a spirit of service in health profession students, Stavas said.
According to a report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, nearly 47 million Americans, including more than 9 million children, do not have health insurance.
“Student-run clinics bring much needed health care services to individuals and families that have fallen through the safety net in our communities,” said Richard Usatine, M.D., assistant director of medical humanities education at the University of Texas Health Science Center and conference presenter.
In 2008, UNMC’s three student-run health clinics — SHARING, GOODLIFE and RESPECT — saw a two-fold increase in the number of patients passing through their doors.
SHARING (Student Health Alliance Reaching Indigent Needy Groups) offers general health care for adults and children and RESPECT (Responsible Early STD Prevention Education and Community Testing) offers treatment and testing for sexually transmitted diseases, both are located at the
“Student-run clinics have a tremendous impact on both the communities they serve and the students involved,” said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D. “These clinics help provide medical care to underserved populations and promote an excellent educational platform for students of all health care professions.”
“One of the most important aspects of this conference is that it reinforces the interdisciplinary approach to health care as a more effective process, and it instills a sense of service which is an important attitude for future health care providers to develop, “said SHARING advisory board president, Bruce Lovejoy, an instructor in the department of community-based health in the UNMC College of Nursing.
Health profession students from 40 universities representing schools from across the
“We are dedicated to helping those in our country that need it the most by empowering underserved communities and cultivating a passion throughout schools to create mindful health care professionals,” Stavas said.
UNMC is the only public health science center in the state. Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in
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