Student-Run Free Clinic makes an impact in 2020

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of South Alabama Student-Run Free Clinic (SRFC) continued to help underserved individuals in Mobile. Under the guidance of preceptors, student-led teams found new ways to serve during a time when they were unable to provide direct patient care due to social distancing requirements.

Students focused on donation drives, obtaining new items for the clinic and helping to provide COVID-19 testing, among other activities. “When we started the year, we were excited to directly provide care to as many patients as possible and to extend this experience to as many volunteers as we could,” said Greg Overbeek, president of the SRFC and a third-year medical student. “While COVID prevented us from doing this, we still wanted to do what we could to serve our patients.”

During the year, the SRFC secured $1,000 worth of medical and cleaning supplies, established an electronic medical records system and received more than $7,000 in grants, its annual report said.

“These students spent countless hours on phone calls, meeting over Zoom, strategically planning and even sewing,” said Allison Rudd, Ed.D., FNP-C, director of the SRFC and assistant professor in the USA Simulation Program. “I am so proud of these #SouthStrong students.”

During 2020, the SRFC:

• Collected more than 400 homemade masks.
• Provided more than 100 bottles of hand sanitizer.
• Obtained a refrigerator and installed new cabinets at the Salvation Army.
• Established respite care to provide short-term post-surgical care and housing for an underserved patient.
• Interacted with 30 patients at Homeless Connect and distributed socks and hygiene items.
• Administered flu vaccines to patients.
• Partnered with the Mobile County Health Department to offer COVID-19 testing.

The student-led board included:

• Faculty adviser: Alison Rudd, Ed. D., FNP-C, director of the USA SRFC and assistant director of the USA Simulation Program
• President: Greg Overbeek 
• Vice president: Corey Phillis 
• Secretary: Katie Knight 
• Treasurer: Madeline Tucker 
• Co-outreach coordinators: Lexie Hensley and Vijay Vobbilisetty 
• Volunteer coordinator: Addie Clark 
• Co-research coordinators: Ryan Heslin and Melody Zeidan 
• SGA liaison: Preston White 
• College of Medicine liaison: Camila Ocha
• Occupational therapy liaison: Megan Shaw
• Pharmacy liaison: Lauren Steil
• Nursing liaison: Lauren Prescott
• Audiology liaison: Rachelle Shepard
• Physical therapy liaison: Tena Newhouse
• Presidents emeritus: Ravi Rajendra (USA COM M4) and Cameron Clary (AU Harrison School of Pharmacy P4)