State praises SHARING Clinics as golf event nears

When the SHARING the Green Golf tournament tees off on April 17, it will be the culmination of the state-recognized “UNMC SHARING Clinics Week.”

Earlier this month, Gov. Pete Ricketts issued a proclamation making April 12-18 “UNMC SHARING Clinics Week.” The proclamation, signed by the governor, notes the SHARING Clinics “national reputation among academic medical centers as a leading model for student-run clinics,” and says the clinics will “continue to provide health care to the underserved population in Omaha and Lincoln for many years to come, building on UNMC’s strong tradition of giving back to the community and instilling the values of service and compassion in countless UNMC students.”

Of course, the golf is fun, too.

“It really is a fun afternoon,” said Audrey Paulman, M.D.,who has been involved with the SHARING Clinics since they were created in 1997.
This year, the afternoon is capped with a supper event, which non-golfers are invited to attend.

The event draws golfers from both the university and the wider community, said Dr. Paulman, many of whom — like the governor — see the value in the clinics’ mission.

“The clinics offer the students a chance to provide care for people in need and work with patients who do not have insurance,” Dr. Paulman said. “It also offers the students the opportunity to manage a clinic and work in an interprofessional atmosphere.”

First-year medical student Michaela Klesitz — one of the event organizers this year — said the nine-hole scramble, followed by a dinner with raffle prizes, is the main fundraiser of the year for the clinic.

“It takes care of about half of our functional budget,” she said. “All the money raised goes toward the services we provide — either actual pateint
care or affordable medication.”

For that reason, she said, the SHARING volunteers work hard to make the event fun for all participants and dinner attendees.

“It’s a great time for students, faculty and the community,” Klesitz said.