Los Angeles Medical Student Volunteers Chapter of Los Angeles Health Volunteers

Mission: Los Angeles Medical Student Volunteers partners with local community organizations to identify roles for medical student volunteers to support the broad health needs of Los Angeles. We are grounded in the belief that health and wellness are human rights and that factors such as nutrition, housing, and social support are critical to one’s health. We encourage growth of student leaders and community advocates through humble exploration of service in health equity and holistic care for our neighbors. About us: Los Angeles is home to numerous health and wellbeing-oriented community organizations. Many students choose DGSOM in part because they want to serve the diverse community of Los Angeles that will be home for four years or more. However, researching volunteer opportunities that fit each student’s individual needs and interests is challenging. Now that students have only one year of pre-clinical coursework, a streamlined process for volunteering in the community is essential to maximize students’ time and provide reliable, consistent support to neighboring organizations. With the support of the existing organization, Los Angeles Health Volunteers (LAHV), we established the student-run chapter Los Angeles Medical Student Volunteers (LAMSV) to facilitate this process. LAHV has fostered relationships with several medical, public health, and social services organizations that are seeking volunteers. We will match students with an organization, respecting their interests when possible, where they will volunteer on a regular basis. Students commit to in-person or remote volunteering, and/or they and their partner organization can identify a project the student will lead to address a need of the organization. LAMSV is building a platform to engage medical students in responsible, meaningful volunteer work that will address needs of local organizations and enable students to learn about the complexities of improving and maintaining the health of our community.

http://lahealthvolunteers.org
griley@mednet.ucla.edu

Signatories: Grace Riley, Nina Modanlo, and Dayna Grundy

Advisor: Pamela R Cysner