ACE: Shade Tree Clinical Service Learning

School of Medicine

The Shade Tree Clinic Community Health Experience offers a profound and rich exposure to primary and specialty care medicine in a resource-limited setting at a sub-internship level of responsibility. This course is a longitudinal ACE during the Immersion Phase for senior medical students. The Shade Tree Clinic Community Health Experience is an opportunity to develop clinical case management skills in the context of complex social determinants of health. Students are exposed to community resources needed to provide holistic care to vulnerable patients. They also gain creative, critical thinking skills necessary to confront challenges faced in a resource-limited context. Participating students have the opportunity to (1) enhance clinical patient care skills, (2) mentor and teach junior students, and (3) participate in didactic/skill sessions for advancement of clinical, advocacy, and leadership skills. Students will be expected to schedule 20 clinic shifts throughout the course and complete a final project (or equivalent), which may include leadership and/or staff roles. Clinical skills and knowledge will be assessed incrementally throughout the course.