Washington, D.C., July 13, 2006 -- The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) has awarded grants to eight U.S. medical schools for the development or expansion of medical student-initiated community service programs.

The Caring for Community grant program provides funding for service projects initiated, developed, and administered by medical students in collaboration with existing community agencies or other medical school outreach activities. Supported by the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, the grants range from $12,000-$30,000 over a period of one to four years, depending on the type of community service project. Since 2000, when the Caring for Community program began, more than $1 million has been awarded to support medical student projects at 61 schools nationwide.

The 2006 grantees are: 1) Dartmouth Medical School; 2) Emory University School of Medicine; 3) State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine; 4) Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine; 5) University of Colorado School of Medicine; 6) University of Mississippi School of Medicine; 7) University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; and 8) Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

"These grants provide the needed resources for students to simultaneously serve their communities and enhance their understanding of community needs and the serious challenges faced by many community residents as they attempt to access health care. But the truth of the matter is that the participating students benefit as much as the patients they serve as they put their altruism and personal and clinical skills to work in these volunteer efforts. The satisfaction these students experience is both rewarding and exhilarating," said Robert Sabalis, Ph.D., associate vice president of student affairs and programs for the AAMC.

"We are very proud to support and honor the students who have committed themselves to such valuable community service projects," said Mike Magee, M.D., director of the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative. "These initiatives will inevitably benefit underserved individuals and direct resources to where they are needed most."

The following programs and projects were awarded grants this year:

Dartmouth Medical School
"Mascoma Valley Free Health Clinic"
There are few doctors and health care facilities in Mascoma Valley. Funds from this grant will expand the scope of the Mascoma Valley Free Health Clinic to include primary care services, more essential pharmaceutical resources, and additional health education programs.

Emory University School of Medicine
"POWERPLAY-Teen Nutritional and Exercise Program"
POWERPLAY (Preventing Obesity through Wellness Education and Recreation: Providing Leisure Alternatives for Youth) encourages minority children and teens to take responsibility for their health. Medical students and other volunteers host weekly sessions at a local medical clinic to teach children about nutrition and healthy eating behaviors, and provide a structured setting for physical activity.

State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
"SUNY Downstate Community Outreach Vaccination Program"
Medical students will establish vaccination sites at local churches and community centers in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, where they will educate residents on the importance of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines and provide the vaccinations free of charge.

Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine
"Project SEED: Screening, Education, and Empowerment for Diabetes"
Medical students will create a new diabetes screening, education, and monitoring program within an existing student-run free health clinic that primarily serves homeless, undocumented, and uninsured residents of Bell County.

University of Colorado School of Medicine
"Healthy Beginnings Clinic at Warren Village"
Medical students plan to expand the services of the Healthy Beginnings Clinic-a free pediatric clinic for children living in Warren Village, a community of low-income, single parents-by improving existing medical equipment, increasing the stock of supplies and pharmaceuticals, and upgrading electronic records capabilities. The clinic will also provide a "healthcare kit" to each child that includes first-aid supplies and health education advice for parents.

University of Mississippi School of Medicine
"The Jackson Free Clinic"
The Jackson Free Clinic is the only completely free medical clinic in its county. This grant will ensure the continuation of existing services despite unique challenges the clinic has faced over the past year: decreased state funding, significant Medicaid cuts, and a decrease in private donations, as well as an increase in patients who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina, and a surge in undocumented immigrants.

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
"Reaching Out for Health and Wellness on Allied Drive"
Medical students and other volunteers will use door-to-door interviews, neighborhood programs, community dinners, health fairs, and festivals to conduct needs assessments and provide health education to residents in Madison's low-income Allied Drive neighborhood.

Weill Medical College of Cornell University
"Weill Cornell Community Clinic"
This new free clinic will provide critically needed primary care services to uninsured residents of New York City and will give medical student volunteers valuable experience in the administrative responsibilities of running a health clinic.

For more information about the AAMC Caring for Community Grant Program, go to www.aamc.org/about/awards/cfc.htm