Student-Run Free Clinic makes an impact in 2019

Two of the biggest challenges facing many patients are access to healthcare and health literacy. The University of South Alabama Student-Run Free Clinic (SRFC) helps to bridge this gap for under-served individuals in Mobile.

Under the guidance of preceptors, the student-led teams are able to spend more time explaining the complex conditions patients face compared to the time spent during a typical clinical office visit. In addition, the interdisciplinary approach at SRFC helps ensure patient problems are talked about from multiple angles, which allows both patients and students to learn about the healthcare problems many Mobilians face.

According to the clinic's 2019 impact report, new services offered this past year at the USA SRFC included:

• Free HIV screenings through partnership with AIDS Alabama
• Free dental screenings through partnership with Franklin Primary Health Center
• New occupational therapy-driven pediatric evaluation and treatment program focused on appropriate physical, mental and social development at Salvation Army Family Haven
• Innovative ambulant clinic where SRFC directly provided care to Spanish-speaking patients in the community through partnership with the Medical Spanish Interest Group and local nonprofit BELONG
• In-house physicals and documentation for those beginning rehab programs at Salvation Army

See more of the SRFC's impact in the infographic below:

Ravi Rajendra, co-president of the USA SRFC, said, "Our success this past year would not have been possible without the hard work of our interdisciplinary student-led board."

The board included:

• Faculty Advisor: Alison Rudd, Ed.D., FNP-C, operations director of the USA SRFC and assistant director of the USA Simulation Program
• Co-President: Ravi Rajendra (USA College of Medicine M3)
• Co-President: Cameron Clary (AU Harrison School of Pharmacy P3)
• Vice President: Amanda Alstatt (AU HSOP P3)
• Secretary: Madeline Tucker (USA COM M2)
• Treasurer: Jake Rosner (USA COM M3)
• Outreach Coordinator: Lexie Hensley (USA COM M2)
• Volunteer Coordinator: Caitlin Henderson (AU HSOP P3)
• Research Coordinator: Eric Midenberg (USA COM M3)
• SGA Liaison: Corey Phillis (USA COM M2)
• Audiology Liaison: Jamie Watts
• Occupational Therapy Liaison: Liz Artall
• Medicine Liaison: Greg Overbeek (USA COM M2)
• Pharmacy Liaison: Katie Murphy (AU HSOP P2)
• Physician Assistant Liaison: Ashleigh Ledet
• Physical Therapy Liaison: Mason Baker
• Nursing Liaison: Aly Smith