The Mollie R. Wheat Memorial Clinic in Terre Haute, IN, a FREE student outreach clinic operated by medical students from the Indiana University School of Medicine-Terre Haute recently presented at the annual Society of Student Run Free Clinic’s Conference in Phoenix, Arizona on January 30-31, 2016. Funding for the conference was helped in part by the Indiana University School of Medicine-Terre Haute and the Area Health Education Coalition (AHEC).
The conference was represented by over 95 student- run clinics located all across the United States, 3 countries, and over 500 attendees. The goal of this annual clinic conference is to harness the passion and hard work of students across the nation into a setting where collaboration can occur, ideas can be shared, and support for one another can be accomplished. Those in attendance share successes and failures, offer input on novel initiatives taking part in other areas of the country, and attend various workshops to improve upon the work being done in their own clinic at home. The Indiana University School of Medicine-Terre Haute was well represented by sending 5 medical students who currently sit on the student-run Board of Directors.
These 5 students were proudly chosen to present on a topic of their choosing which highlighted their successful medical clinic. Their presentation centered on their highly successful and inaugural Eye Health Day, which occurred in September of 2015. Titled “Eying Interdisciplinary Partnerships of the Future—Challenges and Successes of One Clinic’s Experience Providing Free Eye Care Services,” the presentation highlighted the successful interdisciplinary partnership between the IU School of Medicine-Terre Haute, the IU School of Optometry-Bloomington, and the Allied Health Sciences Department at Indiana State University in creating this Eye Health Day.
During this Eye Health Day, medical students and optometry students worked in teams to provide free diabetic eye exams, glaucoma testing, visual field testing, hypertensive eye exams, and vision screens. Frames for glasses were available on site to those who qualified. In total, 28 patients were provided free eye health services. Follow-up care was provided by local Optometrist, Dr. Kayla Black OD, of Terre Haute, Indiana free of charge. The Eye Health Day was followed by a community presentation commenting on the importance of annual diabetic eye exams, eye health, and the interdisciplinary collaboration between optometrists and physicians.
Since its opening in August of 2014, the Mollie R. Wheat Memorial Clinic’s mission has been to educate and to prepare future rural healthcare workers by enriching and caring for the underserved population in our community in an inter-professional environment. Through this mission, the clinic has consistently provided care to local Wabash Valley residents suffering from an inadequate access to health care and lack of health insurance.
The Mollie R. Wheat Memorial clinic is open on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month (restrictions do apply) from 8 a.m. to noon, and is completely free of costs. Spring 2016 dates of operation include February 13, 27, March 12, 26, April 9, 23, and May 14. Services available include acute primary care services, health screenings, physical exams, nutritional counseling, and patient education. A physician is available each clinic date of operation. The clinic is located in the Landsbaum Center for Health Education at 1433 N. 6 ½ Street in Terre Haute, IN. The clinic is continuing to pursue physician volunteers to enhance interdisciplinary learning. Interested persons in volunteering or persons interested in making a tax-deductible free will donation are encouraged to contact [email protected] for more information. For other information, or to schedule an appointment online (walk-ins are also welcome), please visit their website at www.mwmcth.com or call their office at 812.237.6962.
The conference was represented by over 95 student- run clinics located all across the United States, 3 countries, and over 500 attendees. The goal of this annual clinic conference is to harness the passion and hard work of students across the nation into a setting where collaboration can occur, ideas can be shared, and support for one another can be accomplished. Those in attendance share successes and failures, offer input on novel initiatives taking part in other areas of the country, and attend various workshops to improve upon the work being done in their own clinic at home. The Indiana University School of Medicine-Terre Haute was well represented by sending 5 medical students who currently sit on the student-run Board of Directors.
These 5 students were proudly chosen to present on a topic of their choosing which highlighted their successful medical clinic. Their presentation centered on their highly successful and inaugural Eye Health Day, which occurred in September of 2015. Titled “Eying Interdisciplinary Partnerships of the Future—Challenges and Successes of One Clinic’s Experience Providing Free Eye Care Services,” the presentation highlighted the successful interdisciplinary partnership between the IU School of Medicine-Terre Haute, the IU School of Optometry-Bloomington, and the Allied Health Sciences Department at Indiana State University in creating this Eye Health Day.
During this Eye Health Day, medical students and optometry students worked in teams to provide free diabetic eye exams, glaucoma testing, visual field testing, hypertensive eye exams, and vision screens. Frames for glasses were available on site to those who qualified. In total, 28 patients were provided free eye health services. Follow-up care was provided by local Optometrist, Dr. Kayla Black OD, of Terre Haute, Indiana free of charge. The Eye Health Day was followed by a community presentation commenting on the importance of annual diabetic eye exams, eye health, and the interdisciplinary collaboration between optometrists and physicians.
Since its opening in August of 2014, the Mollie R. Wheat Memorial Clinic’s mission has been to educate and to prepare future rural healthcare workers by enriching and caring for the underserved population in our community in an inter-professional environment. Through this mission, the clinic has consistently provided care to local Wabash Valley residents suffering from an inadequate access to health care and lack of health insurance.
The Mollie R. Wheat Memorial clinic is open on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month (restrictions do apply) from 8 a.m. to noon, and is completely free of costs. Spring 2016 dates of operation include February 13, 27, March 12, 26, April 9, 23, and May 14. Services available include acute primary care services, health screenings, physical exams, nutritional counseling, and patient education. A physician is available each clinic date of operation. The clinic is located in the Landsbaum Center for Health Education at 1433 N. 6 ½ Street in Terre Haute, IN. The clinic is continuing to pursue physician volunteers to enhance interdisciplinary learning. Interested persons in volunteering or persons interested in making a tax-deductible free will donation are encouraged to contact [email protected] for more information. For other information, or to schedule an appointment online (walk-ins are also welcome), please visit their website at www.mwmcth.com or call their office at 812.237.6962.
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