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Mission Statement
To expose the next generation of healthcare professionals to the specific
healthcare needs of rural communities in Washington. By immersing the students in an interactive experience,
we hope to inspire a further commitment to healthcare.
Summary
The program was founded by students in 2003 to provide fellow pre-health students with an opportunity to
learn about and experience healthcare in rural or underserved clinics in Washington during Spring Break.
Prior to departure, UW undergraduate students selected to participate in the project learn
about their particular site and the health issues relevant to the community. At the site,
the team spends time shadowing healthcare professionals and attending scheduled talks pertaining to
healthcare. The team will also plan and participate in a community service activity at a local school or agency.
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Clinical Experience
HCASB participants will be involved in a variety of experiences!
Last year, experiences ranged from spending considerable amounts of time interacting with patients,
helping doctors to diagnose patients, assisting in the pharmacy, attending house calls, watching biopsies,
volunteering in a diabetes unit, and observing in a wide range of settings from dental clinics to emergency rooms.
Students were able to shadow nurses, orthopedic surgeons, cardiologists, optometrists, dentists, and many other healthcare
professionals. Moreover, participants were able to experience what it is like to work in a rural or underserved community,
areas which could benefit from additional medical practitioners. HCASB participant SG reflects,
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"This spring break was very rewarding and a huge eye-opener for me.
Never before had I considered going into rural medicine. Now, it is a possibility."
HCASB this year will provide a healthcare shadowing experience available for a variety of pre-health concentrations, including
pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-nursing, and pre-pharmacy students, among others!
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Lectures
Some sites will feature a lecture in which physicians or other healthcare professionals
will share experiences from working in the community and discuss their thoughts on particular
health issues. Last year, with many of the communities having a high Hispanic or Native American
population, one of the topics students explored was how cultural differences can influence healthcare.
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Volunteering
Included in the participants' schedule will be a one-day
community service activity on-site. In the past, HCASB teams have visited local schools
to give presentations geared towards answering questions about college preparation.
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