Issue link: http://kusm-wichita.uberflip.com/i/1157351
Reaching out to the community It is our responsibility to teach our students how to care for patients who walk into the practice, arrive at the clinics or are brought to the hospitals. It is also our responsibility to teach our students to go to the people in need of their knowledge, skills and experience. And our faculty lead by example. Dean Garold Minns, M.D. 1 While most may think of community outreach as when people volunteer their services, at KU School of Medicine-Wichita it also takes another turn when we don't know what a community needs. That is when we spend time asking questions through surveys, scheduling meetings and conducting focus groups. We learn what may be lacking in neighborhoods and then we can help develop a plan for leaders to implement and meet those needs. You can read about one example of this discovery process in "Survey says: Health care is priority in western Kansas." Another way our students are immersed into the community is through community service. During their first year on campus, they are required to volunteer for two activities. In "School's personal side shines through student ambassadors," you'll see our students using their medical skills, as well as skills that require no medical knowledge but maybe a little hammering. There are so many diverse populations that need specialized attention. In this issue of Embark, we highlight two of them. • The new LYFTE program in Sedgwick County has fewer restrictions than other existing programs for pregnant or parenting teens and includes a special focus. • Dr. Donna Sweet is internationally known for her work providing care and resources for people aected by HIV/AIDS. She travels throughout the world educating physicians, seeing patients and heightening awareness. She shares her passion through many avenues. We also welcome the community to our campus. In addition to training our students, our Simulation Center oers opportunities for school groups and other medical professionals to experience hands-on learning without life-threatening consequences. Some longtime visitors are a result of our 20-year partnership with Park Elementary. The excitement on students' faces when we invite them to holiday special events each year brings laughter to our hallways and a smile to our hearts. We are grateful for our community partners who help us teach relevant medicine to meet the ever-changing needs of our patients within the communities down the street and across the state.