UAB Synopsis, Vol. 27, No. 31, August 11, 2008
M-Power Clinic Serves the Homeless and Uninsured
More than a year ago UAB’s medical students launched a free clinic to serve the needs of Birmingham’s homeless and uninsured. The M-Power clinic has been in operation on Tuesday and Thursday nights in the Avondale neighborhood since 2000.
With the help of UAB’s first through fourth year medical students, the clinic expanded its hours in 2007, holding an additional student-run clinic the first and third Wednesday night of each month from 5 to 7 pm.
The students are extremely engaged in the clinic and are eager to expand its operation to every Wednesday evening, says Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education Craig J. Hoesley, MD, who also is director of medicine clerkships. “There is waiting list of students who want to participate in the clinic,” he says, “but there is a need for additional faculty and fellow volunteers to serve as preceptors.”
About 20 Department of Medicine (DOM)faculty have participated in the clinic, and have found the experience rewarding, Dr. Hoesley says. “I would ask faculty and fellows to consider volunteering their time on one or two Wednesdays during the course of the year,” he says. “Volunteering our time and skills is the best way to support the truly impressive effort and spirit our medical students have shown in developing this clinic.”
The clinic is located at 4022 4th Ave S. For more information about the clinic go to www.mpowerministries.org/medical_clinic.html.
DOM faculty and fellows interested in volunteering their time should contact Dr. Hoesley at choesley@uab.edu or 205.934.7090.