Entering into a career based on serving people encompasses the time spent giving during medical school. SSOM students are provided with ample opportunities to use their growing clinical skills as well and keep a sense of perspective amongst the stressful years of education. The list of opportunities is endless, including Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, adopting a family during the holidays, Thanksgiving food drives and summer volunteering experience such as camp Mak-A-Dream.

Coyote Clinic:

The Coyote Community Clinic was founded in 2006 by Sanford School of Medicine Medical Students who recognized a need for free, after-hours care for the many families in Sioux Falls who cannot afford healthcare. Though the clinic is a partnership with Avera McKennan, it is entirely student-run and is supervised by a team of 2nd, 3rd and 4th-year medical students. Through this partnership, medical students care for patients at the Avera Downtown free clinic in Sioux Falls one night per month from 6:00pm until 9:00pm under the supervision of licensed physician volunteers. With 8-12 patients served each night, the Coyote Community Clinic provides after-hours care to uninsured or underinsured patients who might otherwise be forced to seek basic care at costly acute care clinics or emergency rooms, and it offers 1st-4th-year medical students an opportunity to work together and give back to their community while applying their skills and knowledge with guidance from the attending physicians.

The Banquet:

Two nights a month Sanford Medical Students provide screenings for patrons of the Banquet in Sioux Falls. First year through fourth year medical students can participate in this opportunity to screen for high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as answer any questions that people may have, as many of the patrons do not receive adequate medical care.

“Volunteers will offer a valuable service to the community in providing preventative medical services (all the adages about an oz of prevention worth a lb. of cure, totally true!). Volunteers also get to mix with students in other classes and talk about course work, good study aids and strategies, and generally vent off some of the pressures of med school through a positive outlet.” – Sean McGrann MSIII

The Welcome Table:

Once a month MS1 & 2 can volunteer to provide screenings for local Vermillion residents at this local soup kitchen. Once a month, the medical students host the dinner, cooking and serving the food while interacting with the local patrons. Most students appreciate the opportunity to give to the community that supports the school and interact with each other outside the confines of Lee Med.