Establishing a Student-Run Free Clinic in Cincinnati

Farah S. Hussain, BS1; Mahima B. Venkatesh, BS, MPH1; Caroline G. Hensley BS, MPH1

http ://w d siem er.b log sp ot.com /2012/01/cincinnati-skyline.htm l

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio

Vision

Introduction
70,000

Estimated Latino population + undocumented, according to

Cincinnati Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 1

Developments

Structure
Weekly primary-care clinic

Collaboration with the Healing Center in Springdale,

Ohio as a location for the Clinic as it is a frequently visited
and trusted location for the Springdale Latino community

Population
126%

96%

Growth of Latino Population between 2000 and 2011 in Hamilton

County 2

adults 18 years old who are ineligible for Medicaid

largely of undocumented individuals and families

Student Volunteers
% Latino population sampled reported they experienced barriers
to receiving healthcare, according to The Health Collaborative of
Cincinnati3

Lack of
documentation

Language

Quality and
availability of
interpreters

Barriers to
Care of Latino
Immigrants in
Greater
Cincinnati

Ineligibility for
health
insurance

SRFC background
There are Student Run Free Clinics (SRFCs) at 106 of
the 141(75.2%) US Association of American Medical
Colleges (AAMC) member institutions.4
SRFCs provide unique education to medical students
while bringing access to care to marginalized
populations whose other resources to care are
overwhelmed by demand.5

Mission

To partner with faculty, students, patients, and

community members to provide quality, dignifying, and
empowering primary care to the underserved
populations in Cincinnati.

Inter-professional team of University of Cincinnati

medical students, pharmacy students, allied health
students, and Spanish-speaking students to serve as
interpreters

Pre-medical Undergraduate Student Survey Results

A sample of 180 pre-medical undergraduate students from

Cincinnati Universities. Respondents ranked items 1-10 for
personal importance. We regarded a ranking of 8-10 as high
interest.
8-10 that they would like to serve vulnerable populations
82% ranked
during medical school population
ranked 8-10 that going to a medical school engaged in the

83% surrounding community is important

Medical Decisions

Supervised and approved by M.D. Faculty preceptors

Services Provided

Medical Student Survey Results

A sample of 88 medical students from UC.

Laboratory Services
Acute and Chronic visits
Medications
Referral Services
Medicaid Application assistance
Blood Pressure screening

78% responded high interested in volunteering at the SRFC

responded no satisfaction or low satisfaction with the availability of

66% clinical opportunities within the local community prior to M3 year

Next Steps

Planning

Develop start-up and operational budget

Complete grant applications
Request approval from Dean of UC College of Medicine

Community Organization Meetings

Community Health Clinics

Crossroad Health Center

Latino community
organizations

Cincinnati Community
Organizations

Greater Cincinnati Latino

Coalition

Cincinnati Health Department

Latino Health Collaborative

Good Samaritan Free Health
Center

Health Care Connection

Latino Ministries of the

Episcopalian Church

Santa Maria
Su Casa Hispanic Center

Closing the Health Gap

Acknowledgements
SRFC Cincinnati Team Members: Amy Hummel, George Adly, Haley
Beavers, Kevin McDonald, Lauren Yoder, Manoj Ambalavanan
Advisors: Dr. Michael Binder, Dr. Joseph Kiesler, Professor Charles Doarn

References

Hamilton County Health

Department
Intercommunity Justice and
Peace Center
The Health Collaborative

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Zandvakili, S., Passty, B., von Hofe, R., & Mueller, A. (2010). Economic impact of Hispanic community in the Cincinnati MSA. Cincinnati, OH: University
of Cincinnati.
Pew Research Center. Pew Research Hispanic Trends Project: U.S. Hispanic Popu- lation by County, 19802011. Washington, DC: Pew Research
Center, 2013. Available at: http://www.pewhispanic.org/2016/10/29/u-s-hispanic-population -by-county-19802011/
Cincinnati 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment. Report. The Health Collaborative.
Diamond L, Grbic D, Gonzalez J, Sharaf R, Mikesell C. Presence and Characteristics of Student-Run Free Clinics in Medical Schools.
2016;312(22):2407-2410.
Simpson SA, Long JA. Medical Student-Run Health Clinics: Important Contributors to Patient Care and Medical Education. 2007:352-356.