Student-Run Free Clinics ANNUAL REPORT 2011 - University of ...

UW Physicians
Assistant Program
Physician Assistant students bring a unique set of skills to the MEDiC Clinics
when they volunteer, including significant clinical and patient care
experience. Behind the scenes, PA students helped find sponsors for
MEDiC’s third Annual Turkey Bowl Fundraiser and organized the first MEDiC
clothing and donation drive to benefit Porchlight and the
Community Action Coalition.
We have truly enjoyed the various aspects of our role as Physician Assistant
Coordinators, including our time with the MEDiC council, our interactions with our class,
and our individual experiences at MEDiC clinics. An unexpected benefit to serving on the
MEDiC council was sharing in our fellow classmates’ MEDiC experiences. Whether it was
hearing a classmate tell of her discovery of a undiagnosed heart murmur, an explanation of
exactly how a KOH prep works, or reviewing the components of a neurological exam before
a classmate’s first clinic experience, the stories gave practical application to our studies.
We will miss serving on council next year, but we are looking forward to sharing our
enthusiasm with the incoming class.
Jessica Fedie and Joe Strangfeld, Physicians Assistant Coordinators
UW Dermatology
Training Program
Interdisciplinary Care
21
The dermatology services offered by the MEDiC Clinics began in 2005 as a vision of
Dr. William Aughenbaugh, a UW-SMPH alum and former MEDiC student volunteer. As a
faculty member in the UW Dermatology program, he worked to create an opportunity
to provide dermatology services to MEDiC free clinic patients, as well as to provide
dermatology residents an opportunity to teach medical students and to serve a diverse
population.
This clinic allows patients with both minor and potentially life-threatening
dermatological problems to receive appropriate specialty care, and it also provides an
educational experience for medical students and residents. The UW dermatologists
have provided in-depth follow-up care to some patients with complicated, sometimes
debilitating dermatological problems.