A University of Wisconsin student-run health program for community outreach and student education recently received an accolade for its volunteer effects with a prestigious award from the White House.
MEDiC, a student-run clinic founded in 1991 at Grace Episcopal Church, received the President’s Volunteer Service Award just one year after the idea was fully implemented at UW, according to a statement from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.
MEDiC clinics provide services such as general medical care, physical therapy, dental and mental health care to people with less than adequate health insurance for free, according to the MEDiC website said.
The program serves the greater Madison area out of seven clinics, spread across a variety of locations, the website said. These locations include the Salvation Army, the Safehaven Mental Health Clinic and the ARC House Clinic.
In addition, the statement said the program allows approximately 400 students in health fields to investigate how to overcome the shortcomings of health care across the country while functioning to serve a need in the community – an example of exercising the Wisconsin Idea in the community.
“The MEDiC program exists for two reasons: to help those in need in our city and to enhance the education of UW medical students,” said Sharon Younkin, director of the community service of the school, said in a statement. “This is another example of the Wisconsin Idea in action, and a way to create future doctors who understand the current limits of our health care system.”
MEDiC clinics treat approximately 1,800 people per year and more than 50 faculty doctors volunteer their time to help those seeking treatment, the website said.
According to the award’s website, the President’s Volunteer Service Award is given to individuals, groups or families who have accomplished a certain amount of volunteer hours over a 12-month period or lifetime.
The program works with more than 80 different leadership organizations and 28,000 certifying organizations to bestow more than 1.5 million awards to deserving groups, the website said.
“Now more than ever, volunteers are renewing their commitment to helping others and making new connections that bring us closer together as families, as neighbors, as communities and as a nation,” the President’s Volunteer Service Award website said.
