School of Medicine

Jennifer Mendez, Ph.D.
Director of Co-Curricular Programs
203 Mazurek Education Commons
Office: (313) 577-1450
Fax: (313) 577-1457
jmendez@med.wayne.edu

The co-curricular credit program was initiated in the fall of 1998 in response to the extraordinary service investment that Wayne State University School of Medicine students have historically made to the Detroit Metropolitan area.  It recognizes those students who have dedicated themselves to building partnerships with surrounding communities through a variety of sponsored outreach and volunteer activities.  Students acquire a greater understanding of human needs, concerns, interests, and values through their participation in these programs, learning to interact with area residents by providing services in their communities.

Students fulfilling the requirements will be granted a year IV one month elective credit.  Students must be in academic good standing in order to participate in the program. These credits may be earned through participation in 75 extra hours of activities each Year I and Year II (150 hours total). Students attend seminars and volunteer or participate in special projects each academic year these activities must be completed by April 30.  Mid and end of the year program impact statements are required.

SEMINARS: Students attend monthly seminars designed to personalize their experience of caring for vulnerable populations. Students gain insight by relating to people they may consider different from themselves and people who are often stigmatized as patients, including the elderly, homeless, addicted, multiply handicapped, pregnant teens and many others. This forum also provides members of stigmatized populations an opportunity to participate in the education of medical students.  Required numbers of seminars vary, depending on which program a student selects to participate in.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH:  WSU-SOM recognized student organizations provide outreach experiences in partnerships with agencies, schools, hospitals, etc., in the Detroit Metropolitan area.  These programs are designed to promote an in depth, yearlong commitment for medical students. It may be necessary to choose more than one organization in which to be involved to complete the hours required per year.  Additional hours may be added for credit with per-approval from the Director of Co-Curricular programs.  Request must be submitted in writing include a description of the activity, dates, length of time and contact person for the agency or organization where the activity will take place.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:  WSU-SOM students are often called upon by health and community service organizations to participate in volunteer activities such as health fairs, blood pressure screenings etc.  Individuals may also set up separate volunteer opportunities, which must be pre-approved by the Director of Co-Curricular programs for credit to be granted.  Request must be submitted in writing include a description of the activity, dates, length of time and contact person for the agency or organization where the activity will take place.

Four programs are offered (Fabric of Society, HuMed, ME2 and MPAC) as a focus for students to participate in.  Students self select the program which best fit their interest to participate in:

• FABRIC OF SOCIETY: Includes a service-based component where students join with community agencies to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the residents in the community. Students work in areas such as preventing sexually transmitted diseases, senior-citizen outreach, mentoring to elementary school children and working with chronically ill patients at area medical facilities. Additionally, students are involved with volunteer programs such as Clean Sweep Detroit, Habitat for Humanity and the School of Medicine’s annual bone marrow and blood drives.
• HuMED: This co-curricular offering is designed to allow students to explore medicine and the human condition. Students have the opportunity to develop an understanding of psychological, spiritual and physical health. This is achieved through activities that relate to culture, complementary and alternative medicine, morality and ethics, and psychosocial issues in illness.
• Medical Education/Evaluation Committee: ME2 gives students the opportunity to become involved in medical education beyond their traditional role as a simple consumer. ME2 students will be trained to conduct focus groups to evaluate the first and second year curricula. By evaluating course content, lecturers, notes, labs and exams, students interact with faculty and fellow students to provide feedback and aid in future course development. Students are required to become knowledgeable about issues affecting medical education and to participate in activities such as Journal Club, which spotlights articles that focus on current and future trends in medical education. ME2 students will report directly to the Assistant Dean for Testing, Evaluation and Medical Education Research.
• Medicine and Political Action in the Community (MPAC): This program offers students the opportunity to observe and become involved in the political aspects in medicine. From a myriad of political issues facing today's physicians (including tobacco education and prevention, the political aspects of abortion, the universal health care debate).  They "identify" learning opportunities and develop it in consultation with the Director of C0-Curricular programs.  These activities may include identifying and inviting prominent speakers to the School to speak on relevant topics.

If you have questions contact: Jennifer Mendez, Ph.D., Director Co-Curricular Programs jmendez@med.wayne.edu.