Happy Anniversary

by Melissa Campbell

The Student Family Health Care Center is gearing up for its 40th anniversary during the 2007-8 academic year. Established in the fall of 1967 in the aftermath of the Newark race riots, the student-run center provides free health services for area residents who are uninsured or underinsured.

Appointments are available on Tuesday and Thursday evenings; on average six patients are seen per night. A team of three to five students interacts with each patient with an upperclassman mentoring the first- and second-year students as they take histories and perform a physical exam. Third- and fourth-year students, with their broader knowledge base, develop a treatment plan for the patient. An attending physician also meets with the patient then reviews the team's plan. The program provides an excellent opportunity for service learning that accommodates students' various levels of medical knowledge and also allows students to learn from their patients and provide health care for them as well.

There is no cost to the patient for the visit, but if additional tests are needed, patients can receive help in enrolling in the University Hospital's charity care program.

Students have also established a free drug formulary consisting of medications to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and depression.

The center recently received a Helping Hands Grant from the American Psychiatric Foundation to develop, design and produce culturally targeted informational patient materials that focus on mental health. Christian Reusche, '07 is leading the initiative which will also include the incorporation of routine screening for mental disorders at the center.

In the last year, 321 students participated offering a total of 4,770 hours of community service to the health care center. During these service hours, 216 patient visits were recorded and the remainder of the time was spent in clinical teaching sessions. Sixteen faculty members volunteer as attending physicians for the center, many of whom were involved in the program when they were students at the school.

Three founders of the program who served as student program directors are still at New Jersey Medical School: Robert Johnson, MD '71, Interim Dean, George Heinrich , MD '72, Associate Dean for Admissions and James Oleske, MD, '71, Professor, Department of Pediatrics. Current student directors are compiling a history of the center and want to hear from the previous student leadership. If you helped run clinic, please contact Carolyn Feuerstein via e-mail NJMS_StudentClinic@hotmail.com with your name and class year as well as any other information you can provide.